Overview
- Ryder Williams, a 16-year-old California State Parks lifeguard, ran into powerful surf on July 25 to pull 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai from waves that briefly left the boy unconscious.
- A bystander video of the July 25 rescue was viewed millions of times and drew national attention that led President Trump to publicize the clip and invite the young rescuer to Washington.
- On Aug. 17 Williams, Nathaniel and their families met the president in the Oval Office where Trump called Williams "a real hero" and conferred a ceremonial "High Civilian Honor."
- Williams has said he relied on his training and on fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen, and California State Parks reported that lifeguards performed dozens of rescues that weekend as large surf pushed operational demand higher.
- The White House visit refocused attention on policy questions about formally recognizing lifeguards as first responders, a change that would affect training requirements, benefits and funding and that the president said he would review.