A 16-year-old rookie California State Parks lifeguard who helped rescue a 10-year-old boy swept under by a wave at Seabright State Beach on July 25, has been invited to the White house to be honored.
In a post on X, President Donald Trump praised Ryder Williams.
“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.
According to California State Parks, the rescue by happened at 3:32pm Saturday while a lifeguard was making a safety contact at the beach, State Parks said. During that contact, the child lost his balance, was knocked down by a wave and was swept into the ocean by heavy surf.
State Parks said one lifeguard made contact with the child until another lifeguard entered the water to assist. The boy was pulled from the ocean with no serious injuries and was released to his parents.
State Parks said the incident highlights the role its lifeguards play in both rescues and preventative safety work.
“Our State Park lifeguards courageously risk their own lives every day to keep our visitors safe,” the department said in information provided about the rescue. “Their dedication never goes unnoticed and they are truly heroes to their local communities, Californians and the nation.”
California State Parks employs about 600 seasonal lifeguards each summer and about 70 permanent lifeguards statewide. On average, State Parks lifeguards perform 1 million preventative actions and 10,000 rescues each year, according to the department. Since July 1, 2026, lifeguards have performed 110,000 preventative actions, 3,600 rescues and more than 1,600 medical aids.
In the Santa Cruz District, State Parks lifeguards performed 34 rescues over the weekend, including rescues on and off department property, officials said. Lifeguards also made more than 5,000 preventative contacts during that time.
State Parks urged visitors to be cautious at beaches during summer south swells, when long intervals between wave sets can create a false sense of calm despite dangerous surf conditions. Officials advised beachgoers to check ocean conditions before entering the water, stay near a lifeguard, keep children within arm’s reach at the shoreline and call 911 immediately if someone appears to be in distress.
