A 16-year-old lifeguard who rescued a 10-year-old boy from rough surf at a California beach has spoken publicly for the first time, describing the dramatic moments that unfolded as he raced into the ocean to save the child.

Ryder Williams, a lifeguard at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, said the incident occurred on July 25 after he noticed the boy lose his footing in ankle-deep water.

In a statement released on Wednesday by California State Parks, Williams recalled his immediate response.

“I radioed it in, threw my radio and sunglasses at the base of my tower as I ran toward the kid. I put my fins on my wrist, popped my buoy and entered the water to get ahold of the child.”

Video recorded by a bystander and widely shared online shows Williams reaching the boy, later identified as 10-year-old Nathaniel, before battling powerful waves as he carried him back toward the shore.

Williams said some beachgoers attempted to enter the water to assist, but he signalled for them to stay back because of the dangerous surf conditions.

He said fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen later entered the water and helped bring both him and Nathaniel safely ashore.

“Shortly after, I got back into my tower where I returned to provide lifeguard services for the rest of my shift,” Williams said.

The teenager said he was thankful the rescue ended safely.

“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely. This is my job and I love what I do. I’m thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day.”

Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, said his son had been vacationing in California with his mother and sister when the incident occurred.

Speaking to ABC affiliate KGO-TV, Rai said he only witnessed the rescue after watching the now-viral video.

“If I was watching that video, I wasn’t sure if he’ll make it, if I hadn’t seen the end of it. And I wasn’t sure, honestly, if the lifeguard would make it out with those conditions,” he said.

“I’m just so grateful that Ryder and others were there to help pull him out and save his life. Otherwise, I can’t imagine what life would look like today.”

Rai revealed that Nathaniel briefly lost consciousness during the incident.

“Another two or three seconds, I don’t think my son would have made it.”

He expressed gratitude to Williams and the other lifeguards involved in the rescue.

“God bless them, and, you know, thank you. I cannot express sufficient gratitude.”

Nathaniel remains in California and is recovering, according to his father.

The rescue comes as the US National Weather Service has warned beachgoers along the West Coast to remain alert for life-threatening rip currents and hazardous ocean conditions.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, nearly 2,000 water rescues were carried out across Los Angeles County on July 25 and 26 alone. (Arise News)

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