The father of the 10-year-old boy rescued from pounding waves at a Santa Cruz beach is calling his son’s survival “a miracle” — revealing new details about the terrifying ordeal while thanking the teenage lifeguard he says saved his son’s life.
Speaking exclusively with The California Post, Sumit Rai said he’s “so grateful” to 16-year-old Ryder Williams, who dove into the rough surf at Seabright Beach on Saturday to rescue the struggling boy — an act of bravery that has since earned national acclaim and praise from President Trump.
Ryder Williams, pictured with his father Shane Williams, plunged into the powerful waves at a Santa Cruz beach to save a 10-year-old boy. Courtesy of Shane Williams
The rescued boy’s father called his son Nathaniel’s survival “a miracle.”
“Gratefully, he’s alive. It’s a miracle,” Rai said. “I’m so grateful to that lifeguard, Ryder.”
Rai said the rescue was even more dangerous than it appeared on video, claiming about 10 people initially rushed into the water to help, but several had to retreat because the pounding surf was so rough they risked becoming trapped themselves.
“Two more seconds he gets thrown another 15-20 feet,” Rai said. “You can’t see him, let alone rescue him.”
Rai noted that the person capturing the video only spotted the boy when the white foam of a crashing wave briefly exposed a glimpse of his brown hair.
Asked where the boy’s mother was during the ordeal, Rai replied, “That’s a great question, I’m wondering the same thing.”
He said there was no sign of the children’s mother during the rescue and claimed she never informed him about what had happened.
Instead, Rai said he only learned of the near-tragedy after speaking with his children later that day.
Rai said he and the children’s mother both live in Dallas but are no longer together.
Shane Williams, Ryder’s father, shared what his son said to him post-rescue: “It brought a tear to my eye.” Instagram/@Santacruznow
Nathaniel was pulled from the pounding surf. Courtesy Sumit Rai
He also claimed she has “mistreated” the children in the past, particularly his son, adding that there are “trauma counselors involved.”
He added that he “would be honored” if his son were invited to the White House after Trump announced Ryder would receive a high civilian honor.
Sumit Rai, the child’s father, called his son’s survival “a miracle.” Instagram/@Santacruznow
Dramatic video showed Ryder plunging into the powerful surf to reach the struggling 10-year-old.
When the 16-year-old returned home after his lifeguard shift, he told his family the rescue was simply “all in a day’s work.”
“He told me when he got home, he said, ‘Dad, I wasn’t going to let go of that kid because I knew if I let go of him he was going to drown, and I wasn’t going to let that happen,’ and it brought a tear to my eye when he said that,” Ryder’s dad, retired firefighter Shane Williams, told The Post.
Ryder returned to his lifeguarding duties immediately after the save. Instagram/@Santacruznow
“It was pretty amazing.”
Ryder’s grandfather said the teen has sought to downplay the attention surrounding his bravery.
“It was all in a day’s work,” George said Ryder told the family after the rescue. “He said, ‘This is what I do.’”
His grandfather added that Ryder participated in five rescues during his Saturday lifeguard shift, including two “that were more gnarly” than saving the 10-year-old.
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“He’s a great kid,” George added. “We love him to pieces.”
Ryder’s dad said his son’s actions reflected the kind and caring person he has always been.
“He just wants to give back to his community because he grew up here,” he said.
Despite gaining the national spotlight, Ryder was back at his lifeguard station on Tuesday and is eager to return to normal life, his dad said.
The teen escaped with only minor injuries after being dragged across the sand while holding onto the boy. Instagram/@Santacruznow
The soon-to-be high school junior has talked about following in his father’s footsteps.
“He’s still young but he’s thinking he wants to get into the fire service eventually,” he said. “We’re taking it step by step. We’re just trying to regroup and make sure he’s okay.”
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Despite the viral rescue, Ryder was already back at his lifeguard station Tuesday and eager to return to normal life. Instagram/@Santacruznow
Ryder’s father said his son’s actions reflected the kind and caring person he has always been. Instagram/@Santacruznow
The 16-year-old lifeguard is considering a career in firefighting, following in his father’s footsteps. Instagram/@Santacruznow
President Donald Trump acknowledged the daring rescue, saying Ryder would receive a “high civilian honor” for his heroics. Instagram/@Santacruznow
On Tuesday, Trump announced that Ryder would receive a “high civilian honor” for his bravery.
“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 Honor. Very brave, he deserves it!” Trump wrote on social media.