A brave teenage lifeguard saved a young boy from dangerous ocean waves at a California beach in a heart-stopping rescue caught on camera.
During a heat advisory across Southern California thousands of families went to the beach to cool off. The waters were rough and Los Angeles County lifeguards had to do nearly two thousand rescues over one weekend.
At Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, a ten year old boy got caught by big crashing waves. Scott Vander Dussen who filmed the incident said, “It caught a lot of people off-guard. Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment’s time.” That was when a sixteen year old high school student named Ryder jumped into action without waiting a second.
The waves kept slamming into them and dragging them under. Ryder took quick breaths before diving under each big wave while keeping a firm grip on the boy. Witnesses said he never let go of the child the whole time.
Other beachgoers tried to help, but the huge waves knocked them down. Eventually a second lifeguard stepped in, and together they brought the boy back to safety. Paramedics checked the young boy, and he was reunited with his family.
The story caught national attention fast. President Donald Trump praised Ryder for his heroic actions. He wrote on social media, “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!”
People wanted to start a fundraiser for Ryder but his mother said he was just doing what he loves and asked people to donate to the local Junior Guards program instead.
I couldn’t help but praise God when I saw how Ryder held on tight and refused to let go of that little boy when wave after wave hit them hard.
When those massive waves were crashing down, Ryder easily could have thought about his own safety and pulled back. Instead he held that child close and risked his own life. It made me think of John 15:13 where Jesus tells us, “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
I thank God for giving Ryder the strength to fight through those massive waves and rescue that little boy.
Just as Ryder kept his tight grip on that helpless child, God holds onto us through the worst storms of our lives.
WATCH: 16-Year-Old Lifeguard Braves Giant Waves to Save Drowning Boy
Join the Conversation