{"id":414899,"date":"2026-07-28T07:01:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T07:01:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/414899\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T07:01:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T07:01:29","slug":"heart-stopping-moment-little-boy-is-battered-by-huge-waves-and-dragged-out-to-sea-off-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/414899\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart-stopping moment little boy is battered by huge waves and dragged out to sea off California"},"content":{"rendered":"

Video shows the heart-stopping moment a little boy was nearly killed by monster waves<\/a> in a California beach town<\/a> over the weekend.<\/p>\n

The terrifying drama unfolded Saturday at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz when killer waves<\/a> sucked a young swimmer into massive surf.<\/p>\n

\"Harrowing<\/p>\n

Harrowing footage shows the lifeguard struggling against massive waves. Instagram\/@Santacruznow<\/p>\n

Scott Vander Dussen, who captured the dramatic video<\/a>, told NBC that boy, about 10 years old, was swept out to sea as wave after wave detonated onto his body. <\/p>\n

“It caught a lot of people off-guard,” said Vander Dussen. “Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment’s time.”<\/p>\n

As bystanders watched in terror, a 16-year-old lifeguard dove into the water and fought the powerful waves to reach the child and bring him back to shore.<\/p>\n

\"Waves<\/p>\n

Waves continued to bash the lifeguard and the child. Instagram\/@Santacruznow<\/p>\n

Other beachgoers and a second lifeguard rushed to the rescue, helping carry the boy back to safety.<\/p>\n

Eric Trump reposted the video of the lifeguard with praise. “Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honor. This is truly the best of America! Well done!,” he added.<\/p>\n

\"Witnesses<\/p>\n

Witnesses stepped in to help the lifeguard bring the boy in. Instagram\/@Santacruznow<\/p>\n

\"Eventually,<\/p>\n

Eventually, the young child was brought to shore. Instagram\/@Santacruznow<\/p>\n

The boy was evaluated by paramedics and reunited with family, according to NBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Santa Cruz lifeguards are highly trained and must complete at least 56 hours of lifeguard instruction, 24 hours of medical certification training and more than 80 hours of marine safety lifeguard training.<\/p>\n

Treacherous waves are expected to continue in the area through Wednesday.<\/p>\n

“I’m glad it ended the way it did,” Vander Dussen said. “I’m certain if the lifeguards weren’t there, he wouldn’t have gone home that night.”<\/p>\n