{"id":975080,"date":"2026-08-02T06:04:43","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T06:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/975080\/"},"modified":"2026-08-02T06:04:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T06:04:43","slug":"teen-lifeguard-ryder-williams-finalizing-plans-for-white-house-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/975080\/","title":{"rendered":"Teen lifeguard Ryder Williams finalizing plans for White House visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

California\u2019s teenage lifeguard hero <\/a>could soon be headed to the White House.<\/p>\n

The family of 16-year-old Ryder Williams has been contacted by President Donald Trump\u2019s staff after the commander-in-chief vowed to honor the rookie rescuer who saved a drowning 10-year-old boy<\/a> from pounding surf.<\/p>\n

Ryder became an overnight hero on July 25. Instagram\/santacruznow<\/p>\n

Ryder\u2019s proud father also welcomed the president\u2019s recognition of his son. AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin<\/p>\n

\u201cThe White House has contacted us but there\u2019s been no official date or time,\u201d Ryder\u2019s father, retired firefighter Shane Williams, 54<\/a>, told The California Post on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Trump announced the invitation after video<\/a> of Ryder\u2019s dramatic rescue at Seabright Beach went viral, saying he plans to welcome the teen and his family to Washington, DC, and personally present him with a high civilian honor for his heroism.<\/p>\n

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Shane said the whirlwind of attention has been overwhelming, but the family is now focused on returning to everyday life as Ryder prepares for his first day of school on Aug. 6.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just want to get back to normal life and let him start high school and start playing water polo,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Trump plans to personally present him with a high civilian honor for his heroism. Jim LoScalzo \/ Pool via CNP \/ SplashNews.com<\/p>\n

The proud father also welcomed the president\u2019s recognition of his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would love to take my son there and I think he deserves that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Ryder Williams with his father, Shane. Courtesy of Shane Williams<\/p>\n

The boy is expected to make a full recovery. Instagram\/santacruznow<\/p>\n

Shane said Ryder is not doing interviews outside those arranged through California State Parks. He added that he couldn\u2019t remember which White House staffer had called because his phone had been \u201cblowing up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shane declined to discuss when the family might travel to Washington and would not say whether Ryder plans to reunite with 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, saying any updates would come through California State Parks.<\/p>\n

Ryder became an overnight hero on July 25 after an 8-to-10-foot sneaker wave dragged Nathaniel, of Dallas, into deep water at Seabright Beach.<\/p>\n

Ryder is not doing interviews outside those arranged through California State Parks. \u00a9 California State Parks<\/p>\n

The rookie lifeguard battled heavy surf for about two minutes to reach the boy after he blacked out in the water.<\/p>\n

Fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen swam out to help, and together they brought Nathaniel safely to shore, where he was revived. <\/p>\n

he rescue unfolded during a chaotic day that saw Santa Cruz district lifeguards perform 34 rescues. Instagram\/santacruznow<\/p>\n

The boy is expected to make a full recovery.<\/p>\n

The rescue unfolded during a chaotic day that saw Santa Cruz district lifeguards perform 34 rescues.<\/p>\n

Nathaniel\u2019s father, Sumit Rai, previously told The Post he was \u201cso grateful\u201d to Ryder for saving his son\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

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