Teen lifeguard to meet President Trump after beach rescue

Sixteen-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Aug. 17 after his rescue of a 10-year-old boy at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz drew nationwide attention. The White House initially listed the meeting as closed to the press but later opened it to reporters.

Williams entered dangerous surf on July 25 after seeing the boy lose his footing in ankle-deep water. He radioed for help, threw his radio and sunglasses toward his tower, and held onto the child as waves repeatedly crashed over them. A second lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, assisted in bringing the boy, later identified as Nathaniel Rai, to shore.

"I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely. This is my job and I love what I do," Williams said in a statement after the incident.

Nathaniel Rai recalled being rescued but could not remember details of the event beyond being helped back to shore.

President Trump praised the rescue after the video spread online and announced the White House visit in a July 28 post on his social platform, indicating plans to honor the teen and possibly the rescued boy. Eric Trump also commented positively on the rescue.

California State Parks reported that its Santa Cruz District lifeguards performed 34 rescues that weekend as large surf, warm weather and crowds created hazardous beach conditions.