A teenage lifeguard lauded by President Trump for risking his life to save a 10-year-old boy from monster waves at a Santa Cruz beach rescued even more swimmers that day, his proud family revealed.
The family of Ryder Williams, 16, who said they’re trying to shield the humble teen from national attention following the dramatic Saturday rescue, told The California Post that he was back in action at his lifeguard station Tuesday.
“He just wants to be a kid and work hard this summer and serve and protect his community,” Ryder’s father, Shane Williams, said. “I’m really proud of him. He’s an amazing kid.”
Ryder’s heroics didn’t end with him saving the 10-year-old — with viral video of the brave act even capturing the attention of President Trump.
“He had two rescues afterwards on the same day that were more gnarly,” Ryder’s grandfather, George Williams, told The Post.
In total, Ryder participated in five rescues during his Saturday lifeguard shift, the grandfather said.
“He’s doing great. We’re so overwhelmed,” added his dad, a 54-year-old retired firefighter. “I’m trying to shelter him. I still see him as a little boy.”
The terrifying drama unfolded Saturday at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz when powerful waves dragged the 10-year-old swimmer into the churning surf.
As horrified beachgoers watched from shore, Ryder plunged into the water and battled the unrelenting waves to reach the boy before bringing him safely back to shore.
The family’s remarkable weekend took another unexpected turn Tuesday when Trump announced that Ryder would receive a “high civilian honor” for his bravery.
“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!” Trump wrote on social media.
His father said the family is still trying to process the surprise announcement.
“We just heard about that so I haven’t even processed it,” Shane Williams said.
Asked whether they would travel to Washington DC, he replied: “I’m not sure.”
“No one from the White House has reached out yet,” he added.
Despite suddenly becoming the focus of national attention, Williams said his son is eager to return to normal life.
Ryder, who’s going to be a high school junior, is an only child and is already back on duty at the beach.
“He’s still young but he’s thinking he wants to get into the fire service eventually,” he said. “We’re taking it step by step. We’re just trying to regroup and make sure he’s okay.”
The rescue left Ryder with only minor injuries.
“He had some road rash on his forehead from holding on the kid,” Williams said. “He hit the sand and scraped across it but he’s fine.”
The emotional toll of the incident became clear when Ryder returned home after the rescue
“He told me when he got home, he said, ‘Dad, I wasn’t going to let go of that kid because I knew if I let go of him he was going to drown and I wasn’t going to let that happen,’ and it brought a tear to my eye when he said that,” his father recalled. “It was pretty amazing.”
Shane Williams said his son’s actions reflected the kind and caring person Ryder has always been.
“He just wants to give back to his community because he grew up here,” he said.
Ryder’s grandfather said the teen has downplayed the attention surrounding his actions.
“It was all in a day’s work,” George said Ryder told the family. “He said, ‘This is what I do.’”
“He’s a great kid,” George added. “We love him to pieces.”
