Trump invites lifeguard of California youth to White House after rescue of heroes at sea
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President Donald Trump on Tuesday praised a young lifeguard who went viral after rescuing a little boy from high waves in Santa Cruz, California, saying he wants to invite the teenager to the White House and give him a high-profile honor.
The lifeguard, identified as 16-year-old Ryder on social media, filmed a touching video on Saturday as he battled heavy surf as he repeatedly disappeared beneath the waves he was holding onto the child he was rescuing.
After witnessing the amazing rescue, Trump said that the young man deserves the respect of the whole country.
“We will bring this brave young man, and his family, to the White House, and perhaps the boy who saved him, to give him the highest honor of the people. He is very brave, he deserves it!” Trump said in X’s post.
16-YEAR-OLD HERO FREES KID IN SUPPORT OF MONSTER SURF WITH HEART-STOPPING VIDEO
A brave 16-year-old lifeguard repeatedly disappeared under huge waves while refusing to let go of a child swept up in a dangerous California beach. (Scott Vander Dussen/Instagram @Santacruznow)
In the past hours, Eric Trump also praised the rescue on social media, demanding that the young man receive the nation’s highest recognition.
“Give this 16-year-old guard the highest honor. This is truly America’s best! Well done!” he said.
The rescue drew thousands of reactions online, with many praising Ryder for battling strong waves that proved too dangerous for bystanders who tried to help.
One eyewitness said the rescue took much longer than the viral video showed. Seafarers reportedly formed a chain of people trying to help before it was cut off by strong surf, according to social media users.
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President Donald Trump speaks at Verst Logistics in Hebron, Kentucky, on March 11, 2026. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
After pulling the child to safety on the beach, Ryder reportedly ran past his lifeguard tower to get more help before paramedics arrived to check on the boy, a witness said. Despite the miraculous rescue, Ryder later returned to work and continued to look out for beachgoers throughout the night.
Redemption may have come in Ryder’s first season as a guard. California State Parks requires state lifeguards to be at least 16 years old.
Another social media user who said he knew Ryder emphasized how amazing the rescue was.
“I’m not sure how many people know how difficult it is to hold on to such a person at sea, during these difficult conditions and the strong sea coast. This lifeguard behaved like a professional, pulled him alone and did not give up. Taht is an amazing act in itself, especially in those conditions. A real hero & waterman. I seriously hope for this,” said the user.
Some people who claimed to have witnessed the incident said that the surf looked calm, with many people in the sea standing on the edge of the water when the big wave crashed on the shore.
Horrifying video captures a young lifeguard risking his life as endless waves repeatedly swallow him and the struggling child. (Scott Vander Dussen/Instagram @Santacruznow)
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“It was so big that it almost reached us with our stuff all the way to the sea!” said the witness.
Seabright Beach is known for its strong break on the beach, with swell-shaped waves coming in from many directions, creating dangerous conditions even for experienced swimmers.
