At Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, giant waves suddenly rose and swept a child around 10 years old out to sea. Sixteen-year-old lifeguard Ryder, who was on duty, immediately risked his life and jumped into the water without hesitation.
Scott Vander Dussen, who recorded the incident on his mobile phone, said, “It caught many people off guard. Unfortunately, this young boy was suddenly swept away and drifted off in seconds.” The footage shows Ryder repeatedly disappearing under the waves, but never letting go of the child.
The video also shows moments when a second lifeguard and numerous beachgoers attempted to rush to help, but were left helpless against the enormous waves. With every wave, Ryder would raise his head to breathe, then dive under again and resurface while holding the child tightly. Witnesses stated that the struggle lasted far longer than what is visible in the footage.
The child was eventually brought to shore, handed over to his family, and examined by paramedics. News of the rescue quickly spread on social media, and many praised Ryder’s bravery.
A woman claiming to be Ryder’s mother responded to the flood of praise on social media, saying, “People wanted someone to start a GoFundMe page, but he was just doing a job he really loves.” She suggested that those wanting to show support donate to the Santa Cruz County Parks Department’s Junior Guards program, and she argued that lifeguards should be recognized as first responders given the hazardous conditions they face.
Meanwhile, Eric Trump, son of Donald Trump, reposted the rescue video with the caption, “Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian award. This is America at its best!” According to NBC Bay Area, Ryder is still a high school student.