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President Donald Trump on Tuesday praised the teenage lifeguard who went viral after rescuing a young boy from towering waves in Santa Cruz, California, saying he wants to invite the teen to the White House and potentially award him a high civilian honor.
The lifeguard, identified as 16-year-old Ryder on social media, was captured in a heart-stopping video Saturday battling massive surf as he repeatedly disappeared beneath crashing waves while maintaining a relentless grip on the child he was rescuing.
After seeing the dramatic rescue, Trump said the teen deserved national recognition.
“We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor. Very brave, he deserves it!” Trump said in a post on X.
HEROIC 16-YEAR-OLD LIFEGUARD RESCUES CHILD FROM MONSTER SURF IN HEART-STOPPING VIDEO
Hours earlier, Eric Trump also praised the rescue on social media, calling for the teen to receive the nation’s highest civilian recognition.
“Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honor. This is truly the best of America! Well done!” he said.
The rescue drew thousands of reactions online, with many praising Ryder for battling powerful waves that appeared too dangerous even for bystanders who attempted to help.
One person claiming to have witnessed the rescue said it lasted far longer than the viral video showed. Beachgoers reportedly formed a human chain in an effort to help before it was eventually broken apart by the pounding surf, according to social media users.
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After pulling the child safely onto the beach, Ryder reportedly sprinted past his lifeguard tower to get additional assistance before paramedics arrived to evaluate the boy, the witness said. Despite the dramatic rescue, Ryder later returned to duty and continued watching over beachgoers for the rest of the evening.
The rescue may have come during Ryder’s first season as a lifeguard. California State Parks requires state lifeguards to be at least 16 years old.
Another social media user who said she knew Ryder emphasized how extraordinary the rescue was.
“I’m not sure how many people know how hard it is to hold onto someone like that in the ocean, during these heavy conditions and pounding shore break. This lifeguard handled it like a pro, pulled him in most of the way solo and never gave up. Taht is a feat in itself, especially in those conditions. A true Hero & waterman. I seriously hope he gets recognized for this,” the user said.
Other people claiming to have witnessed the incident said the surf had initially appeared relatively calm, with many beachgoers standing at the water’s edge when a massive wave suddenly crashed ashore.
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“It was so big it nearly reached us by our things all the way up the beach!” the witness said.
Seabright Beach is known for its powerful shore break, with waves shaped by swells arriving from multiple directions, creating hazardous conditions even for experienced swimmers.
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