Father of Boy Saved by Hero Lifeguard in California Speaks Out
Earlier this week, a video was going viral showing a young lifeguard saving the life of a 10-year-old boy in dangerous waves off the California coast.
Here is the video:
This high school student and seasonal Santa Cruz State Parks lifeguard pulled off one of the most incredible rescues of the summer at Seabright Beach on July 25.
A 10-year-old boy was being hammered by massive waves. Ryder dove in, locked on with an unbreakable grip, and fought through wave after wave for nearly two minutes – never letting go – while telling bystanders who tried to help to save themselves. A second lifeguard joined him to get the boy safely to shore. The child was checked by paramedics and reunited with his family, stable.
His mom confirmed his first name on social media and said he’s just doing the job he loves. Instead of a GoFundMe, she pointed people toward supporting the Santa Cruz County Parks Junior Guards program that trained him.
Absolute legend at 16. Real first-responder energy. 💪🛟
Meet the hero! 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder (reportedly Ryder Williams)
This high school student and seasonal Santa Cruz State Parks lifeguard pulled off one of the most incredible rescues of the summer at Seabright Beach on July 25.
A 10-year-old boy was being hammered by… pic.twitter.com/aptY6u0nSb
— Sarah Fields (@SarahisCensored) July 28, 2026
A video of the father of the child who was rescued shows his immense gratitude for the lifeguard who saved his son’s life.
Amen. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for granting the lifeguard the strength to accomplish this task and letting this young 10 year old have a hero! And us as well.
I watched the rescue video and it was incredible. That was a super rough surf he had to deal with to make the rescue. The young man did a phenomenal job!
A number of years ago, I offered to help a young man my then college-age daughter was dating get a job. (They later broke up when she decided to go to med school. Go figure.) He was applying to work for an investment bank my company and I had been working with and I knew most of the principals involved in the company. Before talking to the company I had the young man send me his resume for my review. He had been a life guard at a very popular Mid-Atlantic beach for several summers while in undergrad college. I was very surprised to see he mentioned on his resume that he had made over 60 rescues while a life guard. I don't think any of his rescues were as dramatic as this one, but I don't know. We recently re-acquainted ourselves with him, and the now-grown man is head of the investment bank he went to work for.