{"id":2636934,"date":"2026-07-28T22:38:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T02:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-16-year-old-lifeguards-heroic-rescue-earns-him-a-trip-to-the-white-house-after-trump-sees-footage\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T22:48:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T02:48:25","slug":"a-16-year-old-lifeguards-heroic-rescue-earns-him-a-trip-to-the-white-house-after-trump-sees-footage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-16-year-old-lifeguards-heroic-rescue-earns-him-a-trip-to-the-white-house-after-trump-sees-footage\/","title":{"rendered":"A 16-Year-Old Lifeguard&#8217;s &#8216;Heroic&#8217; Rescue Earns Him a Trip to the White House After Trump Sees Footage"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">34<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fa-16-year-old-lifeguards-heroic-rescue-earns-him-a-trip-to-the-white-house-after-trump-sees-footage%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2636934&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>President Donald Trump announced plans to honor a 16-year-old California lifeguard, Ryder, who heroically rescued a young boy caught in risky waves at Seabright Beach, santa Cruz. The rescue,captured on viral video,showed Ryder holding onto the boy amid strong,crashing waves until additional help arrived. The incident prompted praise from various figures,including Eric Trump and President Trump,who expressed intent to invite Ryder and his family to the White House to award him a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-to-award-teenage-lifeguard-who-saved-child-from-massive-waves\/\" title=\"... to award teenage ... who saved child from massive ...\">high civilian honor<\/a>. Ryder&#8217;s mother expressed gratitude for the recognition and encouraged support for the local Junior Guards program were Ryder trained. Lifeguards in Santa Cruz undergo extensive training, emphasizing the seriousness of their life-saving roles. The heroic act has garnered widespread admiration, emphasizing bravery and community service.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump is bringing a 16-year-old California lifeguard to the White House to honor him after his heroic rescue of a young boy over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>NBC affiliate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcbayarea.com\/news\/local\/santa-cruz-lifeguard-rescue-seabright-beach\/4119430\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KNTV reported<\/a> that the Saturday rescue, caught on video that went viral, took place at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz in northern California.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe waves, I wouldn\u2019t say they were tranquil, but they were what you\u2019d expect, a normal cadence and intensity,\u201d witness Scott Vander Dussen said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd then that just changed in a heartbeat. It caught a lot of people off-guard. Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment\u2019s time. I\u2019m glad it ended the way it did. I\u2019m certain if the lifeguards weren\u2019t there, he wouldn\u2019t have gone home that night,\u201d Vander Dussen added.<\/p>\n<p>Video of the incident showed the lifeguard, identified only as Ryder, holding on to the boy with a bulldog grip as waves crashed over them time and again, knocking them down and pulling them back into the water.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A 16-year-old lifeguard dragged a 10-year-old boy to safety after he was struggling with massive waves at a beach in Santa Cruz, California, on Saturday. Video shows the teen rescuing the boy and eventually getting him to shore. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3lgyzUGeHu\">pic.twitter.com\/3lgyzUGeHu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 CBS News (@CBSNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CBSNews\/status\/2082088252811464787?\">July 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Men could be seen trying to help the lifeguard with the rescue, only to retreat to the shore after being whipped around by the sea.<\/p>\n<p>Eventually, a second lifeguard showed up and helped Ryder drag the boy to safety.<\/p>\n<p>The youngster, believed to be about 10 years old, was evaluated by paramedics and released to his family.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Harrowing moment little boy is rescued from crashing waves at Santa Cruz beach <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/gal6EUG6sT\">https:\/\/t.co\/gal6EUG6sT<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BaCydAbKvp\">pic.twitter.com\/BaCydAbKvp<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 New York Post (@nypost) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/nypost\/status\/2082086503383986396?\">July 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Eric Trump posted on social media in response to the rescue, \u201cGive this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honor. This is truly the best of America! Well done!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>President Trump responded, \u201cWe\u2019re 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!\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">We\u2019re 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! President DONALD J. TRUMP <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/dGL15o1tIv\">https:\/\/t.co\/dGL15o1tIv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/realDonaldTrump\/status\/2082159711852298494?\">July 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/heroic-16-year-old-lifeguard-rescues-child-monster-surf-heart-stopping-video\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fox News<\/a> reported that Ryder\u2019s mother thanked people for the praise they have heaped on her son.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am blown away by the love, kindness, gratitude and respect you\u2019re sending his way!\u201d she said. \u201cA few people have asked about a GoFundMe \u2013 but honestly he was just doing the job that he absolutely loves.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInstead, she encouraged those wishing to support Ryder to donate to the Santa Cruz County Parks Department\u2019s Junior Guards program, where she said Ryder and many of his fellow lifeguards trained before becoming old enough to serve,\u201d according to Fox News.<\/p>\n<p>KNTV noted, \u201cWhile officials did not discuss the specific training of the lifeguard involved, Santa Cruz lifeguards are required to complete at least 56 hours of lifeguard training, 24 hours of medical certification training and more than 80 hours of marine safety lifeguard training.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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