Sixteen-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams is being praised across the country after risking his life to save a 10-year-old boy from dangerous surf at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, but according to his family, that dramatic rescue was only one of several heroic moments during his shift.

Ryder’s relatives told The California Post that the teenager actually took part in five rescues on Saturday, including two difficult rescues after the now-viral save that captured national attention.

“He had two rescues afterwards on the same day that were more gnarly,” Ryder’s grandfather, George Williams, revealed, adding that his grandson continued helping swimmers even after the dramatic rescue that made headlines.

Despite the growing spotlight, Ryder’s father, retired firefighter Shane Williams, said the family is trying to keep the teenager grounded.

“He just wants to be a kid and work hard this summer and serve and protect his community,” Shane said. “I’m really proud of him. He’s an amazing kid.”

The dramatic rescue unfolded when powerful waves pulled a 10-year-old boy into the rough surf at Seabright Beach. As frightened beachgoers watched from shore, Ryder rushed into the water, fought through the heavy waves, reached the child, and safely brought him back to the beach.

The rescue quickly spread online through viral video, eventually catching the attention of President Donald Trump.

Trump later announced that Ryder would receive a high civilian honor for his bravery, writing on social media that the teenager and his family would be invited to the White House, possibly alongside the boy he rescued.

“We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor. Very brave, he deserves it!” Trump wrote.

Shane Williams said the announcement came as a complete surprise.

“We just heard about that so I haven’t even processed it,” he said, adding that no one from the White House had contacted the family yet. When asked whether they would travel to Washington, D.C., he admitted, “I’m not sure.”

While the recognition continues to grow, Ryder has already returned to work at his lifeguard station. The only child, who will be a high school junior this fall, has chosen to focus on his normal routine instead of the national attention surrounding him.

According to his father, Ryder has also expressed interest in following the family’s tradition of public service.

“He’s still young but he’s thinking he wants to get into the fire service eventually,” Shane said. “We’re taking it step by step. We’re just trying to regroup and make sure he’s okay.”

Fortunately, the rescue left Ryder with only minor injuries.

“He had some road rash on his forehead from holding on the kid,” his father explained. “He hit the sand and scraped across it but he’s fine.”

The emotional impact became clear only after Ryder returned home.

“He told me when he got home, he said, ‘Dad, I wasn’t going to let go of that kid because I knew if I let go of him he was going to drown and I wasn’t going to let that happen,'” Shane recalled. “It brought a tear to my eye when he said that. It was pretty amazing.”

Despite widespread praise, Ryder has remained humble about what happened.

“It was all in a day’s work,” George Williams said his grandson told the family. “He said, ‘This is what I do.'”

Shane believes that attitude reflects the kind of person Ryder has always been.

“He just wants to give back to his community because he grew up here,” he said.

George echoed those feelings, saying the family is incredibly proud of the teenager’s quiet dedication to helping others.

“He’s a great kid,” George said. “We love him to pieces.”