{"id":7099,"date":"2026-08-17T23:38:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T23:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=7099"},"modified":"2026-08-17T23:38:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T23:38:20","slug":"teen-lifeguard-boy-he-rescued-in-santa-cruz-honored-at-white-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=7099","title":{"rendered":"Teen lifeguard, boy he rescued in Santa Cruz honored at White House"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Collin Binkley | Associated Press<\/strong><\/p>\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 A teenage lifeguard and the boy he rescued off the coast of California were reunited Monday at the White House as President Donald Trump honored both as heroes.<\/p>

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\u201cWhat you did was incredible, and everybody saw it,\u201d Trump told the boys, referring to a viral video of the July rescue in Santa Cruz. \u201cWhen I first saw it, I said, \u2018roll that back, I want to see that again.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

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Seated alongside 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams and 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, Trump marveled at how each of them stayed cool in the dramatic ocean rescue in Santa Cruz in July. The boys\u2019 families joined the Oval Office reunion, along with lifeguard Aaron Bohnen, who aided in the rescue.<\/p>\n

Online videos of the rescue have been viewed millions of times worldwide. The footage shows Williams clutching Nathaniel as heavy waves repeatedly smash into them. At one point, the boys disappear underwater for several seconds before emerging from the surf, Williams continuing to haul Nathaniel toward the shore.<\/p>\n

Trump hailed Williams as a \u201creal hero.\u201d He told Nathaniel that \u201cGod was watching you.\u201d Trump and Williams sat in chairs in front of the Oval Office fireplace, while Nathaniel and others sat alongside on a pair of couches.<\/p>\n

Asked about the moment, Williams credited those who trained him how to snap into action.<\/p>

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\u201cIn those dangerous moments that we have, we always try to fall back on our training,\u201d he said. \u201cI really was thinking about how to get the boy out of the water as fast as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wearing a black uniform with a California State Parks lifeguard patch, Williams said he hopes to train as a paramedic and become a firefighter.<\/p>\n

Nathaniel, sitting next to his father and sister, nodded along as Trump described the rescue.<\/p>

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