A California lifeguard who became an online sensation for a dramatic ocean rescue says he was just doing his job. Sixteen-year-old Ryder Williams is speaking out after video of him sprinting into rough surf at Seabright Beach to pull a young boy from powerful waves drew millions of views and a wave of "hero" labels he's not eager to claim, per TMZ. Ryder says the toughest part was that the boy was in trouble so close to shore, making his fins less useful in the rescue effort. He describes the save as one of several that day, with dangerous surf keeping lifeguards constantly in motion.
The clip also caught President Trump's attention: The president says he wants to bring Ryder and his family to Washington to present a civilian honor, and per the New York Post, arrangements for that visit are already in the works. "I would love to take my son there and I think he deserves that," Ryder's father says, noting that White House staff has already been in touch. The rescued boy's father, Sumit Rai, says his son Nathaniel briefly lost consciousness during the ordeal and calls his family "lucky," crediting Ryder with saving the 10-year-old's life, per TMZ.
"The resilience that [Ryder] showed to hold him through those rip currents, that water pressure, those torrential waves—to be able to withstand that," Rai says of Ryder's efforts, per People. "Had it not been for Ryder, Nathaniel wouldn't be sitting here next to me today." During a CBS Mornings appearance on Tuesday, Nathaniel himself said that "before the lifeguard came, I thought I was going to die." He added that he'd been nervous about the waves and was standing close to shore when he tripped and got yanked in.
Ryder's mom, meanwhile, notes that some have pushed for setting up a GoFundMe for her son, but she says that's not necessary, per the San Francisco Chronicle. "Honestly he was just doing the job that he absolutely loves," she wrote on social media. "If you really want to help, a good program to support is the Santa Cruz County Parks and Rec Junior guards program." Ryder hopes that the viral moment underscores how fast the ocean can turn hazardous and urges beachgoers to heed warning flags and lifeguard directions, per TMZ.
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
