By August 17, 2026 / 2:30 PM EDT / CBS News
Washington — Sixteen-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, alongside Nathaniel Rai, a 10-year-old boy he saved, visited the Oval Office to meet President Trump on Monday. This meeting followed Ryder’s viral rescue of Nathaniel from a dangerous rip current in Santa Cruz, California, last month.
The dramatic rescue occurred on July 25 when Nathaniel was caught in a perilous surf. Despite the crashing waves, Ryder managed to hold onto the boy and guide him to safety. President Trump lauded Ryder’s courage during the incident and also congratulated Nathaniel for enduring the challenging situation.
“We’re honored to have all of you,” President Trump remarked, turning to Ryder. “What you did was incredible. Everyone watched it repeatedly. I remember seeing it and asking, ‘Is this really happening?'”
Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, attended the event and expressed immense gratitude to Ryder for rescuing his son. “I’m beyond grateful,” Rai stated, noting the importance of being able to celebrate Nathaniel’s 11th birthday the following day. He mentioned on “CBS Mornings” earlier this month that his son was “a second or two away from dying” before Ryder’s timely intervention.
During their White House visit, President Trump also noted the often overlooked efforts of lifeguards, commenting, “Maybe lifeguards don’t get the credit they deserve.”
Ryder, reflecting on the situation, said that in such critical moments, lifeguards rely heavily on their training. He shared his future aspiration, revealing that he hopes to become a firefighter one day.
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