Trump honors teen lifeguard after California rip current rescue

A 16-year-old lifeguard whose rescue of a boy from a rip current in Santa Cruz, California, drew national attention was welcomed to the Oval Office on Monday, where President Trump praised him as a hero and said lifeguards may not get enough recognition.

Ryder Williams was honored at the White House alongside Nathaniel Rai, the 10-year-old boy he pulled from dangerous surf on July 25 at Seabright Beach. Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, also attended the meeting and thanked Williams for saving his son.

“We’re honored to have all of you. And again, what you did was incredible,” Trump told Williams, according to CBS News. “And everybody saw it. And you’d watch it over and over. I know when I first saw it, I said, ‘Roll that back, I want to see that again. Is that really happening?’”

Video of the rescue went viral in late July. It showed Williams holding onto Nathaniel as pounding waves repeatedly crashed over them. At one point, the two disappeared from view for several seconds before reemerging as a wave receded. A second lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, eventually helped bring both of them safely back to shore, The Guardian reported.

Trump told Nathaniel that Williams was “a real hero,” adding: “I don’t know if I’d do it. I wouldn’t, probably. You’re lucky I wasn’t on the service that day.”

Nathaniel, wearing a dark suit and maroon tie, sat on a gold couch beside his father and Trump during the Oval Office visit, while Williams sat across from them, The Guardian reported. Trump had earlier said the teen deserved a civilian honor and posted on social media that he would invite Williams to the White House to reward his bravery. The president first commented on the video after his son, Eric Trump, said Williams deserved “the highest civilian honor.”

Sumit Rai said in the Oval Office that he was “beyond grateful” to Williams and grateful that his family would be able to celebrate Nathaniel’s 11th birthday on Tuesday. Earlier this month, Rai told “CBS Mornings” that his son was “a second or two away from dying” when Williams reached him.

“What he did, I can never repay,” Rai told the Associated Press, according to The Guardian. “I’m forever grateful.”

Williams said lifeguards “try to fall back on their training” during dangerous moments. The teenager said he hopes to become a firefighter when he is older.

“Maybe lifeguards don’t get the credit they deserve,” Trump said.

The rescue has also drawn attention as California state lawmakers review proposed legislation that would officially classify lifeguards as first responders, NBC Bay Area reported, according to The Guardian. Analysts cited by the outlet said such a designation could bring lifeguards more professional recognition, support and resources, as well as better worker protections and benefits.

Some people interviewed by NBC Bay Area said they were surprised lifeguards were not already considered first responders. But Santa Cruz state Sen. John Laird said the designation was not simple.

“Of course, lifeguards are first responders, but first responders also go through this rigorous training, so you’d have to decide — because in the peace officer standards training you go through eight months of training — so you’d have to decide what’s appropriate here,” Laird told NBC Bay Area. “How does it work? How does it get designated? What training comes with it? Who pays for it?”