By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
President Donald Trump has announced plans to honour a 16-year-old lifeguard whose dramatic rescue of a 10-year-old boy from powerful waves at Santa Cruz Beach in California has captured widespread attention.
The teenager, identified only as Ryder, sprang into action after the child was swept into the ocean by strong currents. A video of the rescue, which went viral over the weekend, showed Ryder battling rough surf as towering waves repeatedly crashed over both him and the boy before he safely brought the child back to shore.
The footage was recorded and shared on Instagram by Vander Dussen, who described the frightening moments leading to the rescue.
“It caught a lot of people off guard. Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment’s time,” Dussen said.
The daring rescue quickly drew praise across social media, with Eric Trump among those commending the teenager’s bravery.
“Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honour. This is truly the best of America! Well done!” Eric Trump wrote on X while sharing the rescue video.
Responding to his son’s post on Tuesday, President Trump said Ryder’s courage deserved national recognition and revealed that the teenager and his family would be invited to the White House.
“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 honour. Very brave, he deserves it!” Trump said.
The rescue has been widely celebrated online, with many praising Ryder’s composure and selflessness in risking his own life to save the young boy from the dangerous surf.
