Teen lifeguard shares first account of dramatic rescue that saved 10 year old boy from deadly California surf
Sixteen year old lifeguard Ryder Williams is speaking publicly for the first time after his dramatic rescue of a 10 year old boy at a California beach was caught on camera and quickly went viral.
Williams, who works at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, recalled the frightening moments on July 25 when he spotted the child losing his footing while standing in ankle deep water.
In a statement released Wednesday by California State Parks, Williams explained how he reacted without hesitation.
“I radioed it in, threw my radio and sunglasses at the base of my tower as I ran toward the kid,” he said. “I put my fins on my wrist, popped my buoy and entered the water to get ahold of the child.”
Video recorded by a beachgoer shows Williams fighting through massive waves to reach the boy, later identified as 10 year old Nathaniel. The footage captures the teenage lifeguard holding tightly to the child as powerful waves repeatedly crashed over them while he worked to bring him back to shore.
Williams said several people on the beach entered the water hoping to help, but he motioned for them to turn back because the surf had become too dangerous.
Another lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, then swam out and helped bring both Williams and Nathaniel safely onto the beach.
Despite the life threatening rescue, Williams said he simply returned to work afterward.
“Shortly after, I got back into my tower where I returned to provide lifeguard services for the rest of my shift,” he said.
The teenager also remained humble when reflecting on the attention his actions have received.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely,” Williams said. “This is my job and I love what I do. I’m thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day.”
Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, said he was not at the beach when the incident happened. His son had been vacationing in California with his mother and sister, and Rai only witnessed the rescue after watching the now viral video.
Speaking to ABC San Francisco station KGO TV, Rai admitted he feared both his son and the young lifeguard might not survive after seeing the footage.
“If I was watching that video, I wasn’t sure if he’ll make it, if I hadn’t seen the end of it,” Rai said. “And I wasn’t sure, honestly, if the lifeguard would make it out with those conditions.”
“I’m just so grateful that Ryder and others were there to help pull him out and save his life. Otherwise, I can’t imagine what life would look like today.”
Rai revealed that Nathaniel lost consciousness during the ordeal and believes only seconds separated the rescue from tragedy.
“Another two or three seconds, I don’t think my son would have made it,” he said.
The grateful father also thanked Williams and every lifeguard who helped save his son’s life.
“God bless them, and, you know, thank you,” Rai said. “I cannot express sufficient gratitude.”
Nathaniel remains in California as he continues to recover from the frightening incident.
The rescue happened during a period of hazardous beach conditions across the West Coast. The National Weather Service has warned swimmers to watch for life threatening rip currents and dangerous surf.
According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, nearly 2,000 water rescues were carried out in Los Angeles County alone on July 25 and 26, highlighting how dangerous ocean conditions were that weekend.
