President Trump hosted 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams and 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai at the White House after Williams rescued Nathaniel from a dangerous rip current at Seabright State Beach on July 25. Trump called Williams "a real hero" but quipped he "probably" wouldn't have made the rescue himself. Williams said he relied on training, held the limp child through multiple waves until partner Aaron Bohnen could help, and the boy was treated onshore and recovered.
Teen Lifeguard Praised at White House After Dramatic Rescue; Trump Quips He 'Probably' Wouldn't Have Done It
Ryder Williams, President Donald Trump and Nathaniel Rai at the White House on August 17, 2026.Credit: Alex Wong/Getty
President Donald Trump welcomed 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams and 10-year-old rescuee Nathaniel Rai to the White House on Aug. 17 after Williams pulled Nathaniel from a powerful rip current at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz on July 25.
Heroic Rescue and White House Visit
Video of the rescue showed Williams wading into turbulent surf, grabbing the limp boy and refusing to let go as two or three additional waves struck them both. Williams maintained his hold until fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen entered the water to assist and together they got Nathaniel to shore, where medics treated him and he regained consciousness.
Ryder Williams, President Donald Trump and Nathaniel Rai at the White House on August 17, 2026.Credit: Alex Wong/Getty
In the Oval Office, the president praised Williams as "a real hero," then joked to Nathaniel that he was "lucky" it wasn't the president on duty that day because he "probably" would not have performed the rescue. "I don't know if I'd do it," Trump said. "I wouldn't, probably. You're lucky I wasn't on the service that day."
Williams' Account and Training
Williams described relying on training during the emergency. Stationed near Tower 2, he said he radioed for help, donned fins on his wrist, deployed his rescue buoy and entered the water after seeing Nathaniel lose his footing about 20 yards from the tower. When Nathaniel went limp and stopped responding, Williams held position until his partner arrived because the waves made it impossible for one rescuer to extract the child safely.
Ryder Williams, President Donald Trump and Nathaniel Rai at the White House on August 17, 2026.Credit: Alex Wong/Getty
"I was really thinking about getting the boy out of the water as fast as I can," Williams said. "The whole time I was thinking, 'I just need to hold my position until my partner can get here because I'm not going to be able to get him out on my own.'"
Williams and Bohnen dragged Nathaniel to shore and used a medical kit to treat him. Williams later returned to duty and said he made additional rescues the same day.
Family Reaction
Nathaniel's father, Sumit Rai, described the moment as critical: his son had been unconscious and not breathing, and the rip current could have pulled him further offshore within seconds. "He was a second or two away from dying," Sumit told reporters, praising Ryder's resilience and quick action. "Had it not been for Ryder, Nathaniel wouldn't be sitting here next to me today."
Future Plans
Williams said he plans to continue helping people, hopes to attend paramedic school and wants to become a firefighter. He urged others to look out for one another and to step in when they can.
Key facts: Rescue occurred July 25 at Seabright State Beach; White House meeting on Aug. 17; lifeguard Ryder Williams, 16, and partner Aaron Bohnen enacted the rescue; Nathaniel Rai, 10, recovered after treatment.
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