Washington — Sixteen-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams and the 10-year-old boy he rescued, Nathaniel Rai, visited the Oval Office to meet with President Trump on Monday. This visit recognized Williams’ brave rescue of Nathaniel from a rip current in Santa Cruz, California, last month.
The rescue occurred on July 25 and quickly garnered attention as Williams managed to bring Nathaniel to shore amidst powerful waves. President Trump commended Williams for his courage, stating, “We’re honored to have all of you. And again, what you did was incredible. And everybody saw it.” He expressed his amazement at Williams’ actions, saying, “Roll that back, I want to see that again. Is that really happening?”
Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, expressed his deep gratitude to Williams, mentioning his relief at celebrating his son’s upcoming 11th birthday. Rai previously explained on “CBS Mornings” that his son was “a second or two away from dying” when Williams executed the rescue.
President Trump acknowledged the often-underappreciated work of lifeguards, saying, “Maybe lifeguards don’t get the credit they deserve.” The meeting also highlighted Williams’ future aspirations, as the teenager mentioned his desire to become a firefighter.
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