By Jon Chown
Ryder Williams, the 16-year-old lifeguard who has been recognized nationally for his heroism in saving the life of 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, recently gave an interview for California State Parks about what he recalls from the day.
On Saturday, July 25, at Seabright State Beach, Williams, who works as a California State Parks lifeguard, was filmed saving the life of the boy. Despite intense, pounding waves, Williams held on to the boy, who was limp from exhaustion, until he made it to shore with the help of his fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen.
Ryder Williams
The video of the rescue went viral and Williams and family have been invited to Washington D.C. by President Donald Trump, though a date has not been announced.
Williams, in the interview, said he was at the waterline about 15 yards from Tower 2 when he looked up and saw a child about 20 yards from the tower get swept off his feet in the water.
“I start running up the beach as he gets pulled out,” he said. “As I grab the child, he goes limp.”
Williams said he couldn’t determine if the boy was conscious or not, and knew he really needed to get him to shore, but he couldn’t do it with the boy limp and the current so strong.
“The whole time I was thinking I just need to hold my position until my partner can get here, because I›m not going to be able to get him out on my own. Doing the best I can to get a good grip on the child and not get sucked out any further,” he said.
Other beachgoers are seen trying to help, but don’t know how. Williams said he was yelling at them to get out of the water before they would have to be rescued as well.
After several waves bash Williams and the boy, Bohnen arrives and finishes the rescue. “My partner mostly takes over holding the child because at this point, my arms were very exhausted from holding on,” said Williams.
As dramatic as the rescue was, Williams said it was really just part of the job. “That›s the reason we were on the beach. I returned to my tower after the rescue and continued to make safety contacts and ended up making more rescues later that day.”
It’s a job that Williams said he really loves.
“The experience has been amazing. It is awesome to get to come out and help people every day. I’ve learned so much about the beach and being able to help people and what it takes to be a lifeguard,” he said.
TOP PHOTO: Aaron Bohnen (from left) and Ryder Williams rescue Nathaniel Rai from the surf at Seacliff State Beach on July 25. • Image from California State Parks, courtesy of Scott Vander Dussen