Ryder Williams
Ryder Williams | |
|---|---|
 American Ocean Lifeguard in 2026 | |
| Born | 2010 (age 15–16) California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Lifeguard |
| Known for | Seabright State Beach rescue (2026) |
Ryder Williams (born 2010) is an American seasonal ocean lifeguard with California State Parks. In July 2026, he participated in the rescue of a 10-year-old boy who was swept into hazardous surf at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California.[1][2][3]
Early life
[edit]Williams grew up in Santa Cruz County, California, where he developed an interest in ocean swimming and surfing from an early age.[4][5] He participated in the Santa Cruz Junior Guards program before completing the California State Parks lifeguard academy in 2026 and beginning work as a seasonal ocean lifeguard.[6][7]
2026 Seabright State Beach rescue
[edit]On July 25, 2026, Williams was on duty as a seasonal California State Parks lifeguard at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz when hazardous surf generated by swells from Hurricane Genevieve affected the coastline.[8] At approximately 3:30 p.m., a 10-year-old boy was knocked off his feet by a breaking wave and carried into deeper water by the surf.[9]
Williams entered the water with a rescue buoy after requesting assistance by radio. He reached the child and kept him above the water while attempting to return to shore through heavy breaking waves.[10][11] Fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen later joined the rescue, and together they brought the child safely back to the beach, where emergency medical personnel examined him before he was reunited with his family.[12][13]
Recognition and public response
[edit]Following the rescue, Williams received public recognition from government officials and emergency response organizations. On July 28, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Williams and his family would be invited to the White House in recognition of the rescue.[14][15][16]
After the incident, Williams and his family asked members of the public not to create personal fundraising campaigns on his behalf. Instead, they encouraged those wishing to show support to donate to the Santa Cruz Junior Guards program, where Williams had trained before joining California State Parks.[17]
References
[edit]- ↑ Golden, Hallie (July 30, 2026). "Father of boy rescued from pounding California surf says he is beyond grateful to teen lifeguard". Associated Press. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ Vargas, Ramon Antonio (29 July 2026). "'I'm super proud of him': father of teen lifeguard recounts dramatic ocean rescue". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ Toohey, Grace (July 29, 2026). "He calls it his duty. America calls this 16-year-old California lifeguard a hero". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Who is Ryder Williams? Trump invites heroic 16-year-old lifeguard to White House after beach rescue". The News International. 2026-07-29. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ Mishra, Rita (July 29, 2026). "Santa Cruz lifeguard rescue". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "16-year-old local lifeguard that rescued child from pounding surf in Santa Cruz speaks out". Santa Cruz Sentinel. July 30, 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "16-year-old rookie lifeguard describes moment he ran into rough surf to save drowning boy at Seabright". Lookout Santa Cruz. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Teen lifeguard Ryder Williams saved a 10-year-old from dangerous waves Santa Cruz, California, then returned to rescue 4 more people the same day". The Economic Times. 2026-07-30. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ "16-Year-Old Lifeguard Ryder Williams Saves Boy from Drowning in California". Hubanti News. 2026-07-30. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
- ↑ "Video: Santa Cruz lifeguard Ryder Williams rescue". The Dallas Morning News. July 29, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "California rookie lifeguard Ryder Williams saved a 10-year-old from 10-foot waves in his first rescue". The Times of India. July 30, 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Hero teen lifeguard speaks after viral rescue of 10-year-old". ABC News. July 30, 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Heroic teen lifeguard who saved boy from pounding California surf rescued others that day, family reveals". New York Post. July 28, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Rookie lifeguard who rescued 10-year-old boy to be honored at White House". Pajaronian. July 29, 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- ↑ "Who is Ryder Williams? Heroic teen lifeguard earns White House invite from Trump after saving child". Hindustan Times. July 29, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "President Donald Trump has invited 16-year-old rookie life guard with his family to the White House for a special honour: All about Ryder Williams who made California proud". The Times of India. July 29, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Who is Ryder Williams? Trump honors teen lifeguard behind viral rescue". Newsweek. July 29, 2026. Retrieved 31 July 2026.