16-Year-Old Hero Lifeguard Saved More Santa Cruz Swimmers That Day, Family Says

Teen Hero Lifeguard Saved More Swimmers After Viral Rescue!!! Published July 29, 2026 8:04 AM PDT The heroic teen lifeguard who saved a young boy in Santa Cruz, CA also saved other swimmers that day, according to his family. 16-year-old Ryder Williams went viral for a video of him rescuing a young boy from intense waves off last weekend at Seabright Beach, but as intense as that action was ... turns out Ryder did that 2 more times. Waiting for your permission to load TikTok Post. His grandfather told the California Post ... "He had two rescues afterwards on the same day that were more gnarly." In fact, the proud grandpa says Ryder's total tally was 5 saves on Saturday alone. Ryder's dad says the national attention has been a lot, telling the outlet ... "We’re so overwhelmed. I’m trying to shelter him. I still see him as a little boy." That attention included catching President Trump's eye ... he says he plans to invite the lifeguard and his family to D.C. and present him with a "high civilian honor." After the rescue, the 10-year-old boy was reportedly checked out by paramedics and went home with his parents after medics found he was fine. Related articles Donald Trump Ryder Williams President Trump Family White House Politics Viral News