10-Year-Old Doesn't Remember Dramatic Rescue by Lifeguard From Pounding California Surf
The rescue video drew praise for the teen lifeguard and renewed calls to classify open-water lifeguards as first responders, officials said.
- On Saturday, July 25, 2026, 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams rescued 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai from rip currents at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, pulling the unconscious boy from the water.
- The rescue occurred during a significant swell event where waves reached an estimated 10 feet; Nathaniel lost his footing in shallow water, and his father, Sumit Rai, said the boy was 'a second or two away from dying.'
- Viral video of the rescue caught the attention of President Donald Trump, who invited Williams and Nathaniel to the White House; Nathaniel told reporters, 'I'm super thankful for him saving my life.'
- The incident renewed calls to designate open-water lifeguards as first responders, with State Sen. Catherine Blakespear co-authoring Senate Concurrent Resolution 192 to grant lifeguards essential protections.
- Lifeguard unions argue the current status denies workers crucial injury and salary protections despite daily risks; Hawaii and New Jersey recently recognized lifeguards as first responders, fueling pressure for similar federal action.
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60 Articles
10-year-old boy recounts near-drowning as family reveals friendship with California teen lifeguard hero
Nathaniel Rai, 10, recounts his drowning experience in Santa Cruz, California, and how teen lifeguard Ryder Williams saved his life, leading to a lasting friendship.
'Just kept getting pulled': 10-year-old boy details harrowing Santa Cruz surf rescue
"I'm super thankful for him saving my life," said 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai about the teen lifeguard who pulled him from a violent rip current. Nathaniel says much of the experience remains a blur, but he vividly remembers fearing for his life as the massive waves dragged him under.
10-year-old boy doesn’t remember dramatic rescue by lifeguard from pounding California surf - WXXV News 25
By KENDRIA LaFLEUR and JEFFREY COLLINS DALLAS (AP) — A 10-year-old boy rescued by a teen lifeguard from hammering waves off the California coast doesn’t remember anything after a giant wave swept him off his feet in ankle-deep water. Video of the rescue showed 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams clinging to Nathaniel Rai as wave after wave crashed over them. The pair disappeared from view and reemerged after several seconds as the wave recede…
Boy Saved From Crashing Waves By Santa Cruz Lifeguard Doing OK, Blames Woman For Telling Him to Swim
10-year-old Nathaniel Rai has recovered from the dramatic July 25 incident at Seabright Beach, captured on viral video, in which he needed to be pulled from a set of violent waves by a 16-year-old lifeguard.
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