Ryder Williams, a 16-year-old rookie lifeguard, rescued a young boy from drowning in heavy surf at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California, on Saturday. His father, Shane Williams, recounted the dramatic rescue on Tuesday, saying his son refused to let go of the child because he knew the boy would likely die otherwise.
Shane Williams said during a telephone interview: 'He told me: “I just was not going to let that happen.” I almost started crying because how determined he was to save that boy’s life makes me so proud.'
Rescue amid dangerous waves
According to local authorities, the incident occurred when the child lost his balance, was knocked down by a wave, and swept about 15 yards offshore. Ryder, an on-duty California state parks lifeguard, saw the boy in distress and ran to help. Photographer Scott Vander Dussen captured video of the rescue, posted to his Santa Cruz Now Instagram account, showing Ryder battling enormous waves to reach the 10-year-old and clinging to him.
Several bystanders tried to assist despite standard public safety advice, but powerful waves forced them back. Ryder maintained his grip as waves tossed him and the boy, until a fellow lifeguard helped bring the child safely to shore.
Father’s perspective
Shane, a retired firefighter, said Ryder is not on social media and was unaware of the viral attention. His son told him he did not understand the fuss, saying any lifeguard would have done the same. Shane said: 'His comments to me are like … “Any other lifeguard on duty would do the same thing I did.”'
Ryder has been preparing for such a moment his whole life. He learned to swim by age six, excelled at water polo, and completed years of junior lifeguard training before enrolling in the California state parks lifeguard academy, where he fought through four days of fever to graduate.
First of 34 rescues that weekend
State officials said the rescue was one of 34 reported by his lifeguard district over the weekend, as the National Weather Service warned of dangerous waves and rip currents from distant tropical cyclones. It was Ryder’s first career rescue. Later that day, off-duty, he helped save two others in conditions his father described as more difficult.
Shane said: 'It’s just been in his DNA since he was born. He sees [what happened Saturday] as his job – his duty. He did his job that day.'
Shane admitted he was unsure he could have held on to the boy as his son did. 'He was such a stud out there. I’m super, super proud of him.'
