Teen lifeguard rescuing drowning 10-year-old was hit by a monster wave. Instead of fighting it, he gave in

On July 26, photographer Scott Vander Dussen (@santacruznow) captured a heroic rescue at Seabright Beach. A 10-year-old boy was swept into the sea by a series of monstrous 10-foot waves. With no hesitation, 16-year-old Ryder Williams, a lifeguard, dove into the waters to fight the tide and get the boy back to safety. But it was not easy, as the waves kept crashing over them, pulling them farther from the shore. Just as he got hold of the boy and tried to make it back to the shore, a monster wave was coming at them. All his training had taught him that fighting against the wave would only pull them in further, and possibly disorient them, so he gave in. He 'fell' into the wave to avoid facing the full wrath of the wave, and it worked. As the wave receded, he gathered his breath and pulled the boy back to safety. 

A true hero

Scott Vander Dussen told NBC Bay Area that at the beginning the waves had "a normal cadence and intensity." However, it changed in a flash, and people did not expect such a drastic change in the tides. He added, "Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment's time. I'm glad it ended the way it did." Vander also said that if lifeguards, especially the one who saved him, hadn't been there, the young boy would have certainly met a tragic end. While speaking to ABC7 News Bay Area, the photographer explained that almost a dozen people tried to save the little boy by forming a human chain. They saw Williams swallowed by the waves all by himself, and knew the only way to fight the ocean was as a group. 

Highest civilian award

Williams's heroic deed did not go unnoticed. Eric Trump took to X and suggested that the 16-year-old deserved the highest civilian order. He wrote, "This is truly the best of America! Well done!" President Donald Trump also responded to his son's X post. He wrote on Truth Social, "We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor. Very brave, he deserves it!" The highest civilian honor is the 'Presidential Medal of Freedom,' usually given to people who contributed to the country's security, national interests, world peace, or other endeavors.

Skills over panic

In 2015, the Red Cross surveyed basic swim safety skills and found that 61% of parents reported their children lacked the five basic skills that could save their lives in the water. Of these parents, 65% were parents of children (aged 4 to 12), and 51% were parents of teens (aged 13 to 17). The research proved to be true for the 10-year-old boy, but not for Williams. He was trained as a Santa Cruz lifeguard. This meant he had completed 56 hours of lifeguard training, 24 hours of medical certification training, and more than 80 hours of marine safety lifeguard training, which made him well-equipped to save the drowning boy.

'True warrior'

Meanwhile, netizens, too, applauded Williams for his bravery and skills. Even the @americanredcross commented, "This is proof that lifeguards truly are heroes. We’re so proud of the Santa Cruz lifeguards who stepped up without hesitation in challenging conditions to rescue this young boy. Their skill, courage, and commitment to keeping people safe are inspiring." @kindelld2019 wrote, "Wow Ryder! Amazing calm and strength under pressure. Wild to know you’re still in high school having both the skill set and deep resolve of a battle-hardened savior."

You can follow Scott Vander Dussen (@santacruznow) on Instagram for more photography content.

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