A dramatic rescue at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz was caught on video. A teenage lifeguard battled rough surf to save a young swimmer. The man who recorded the video said a boy, about 10 years old, was overwhelmed by wave after wave.
A 16-year-old lifeguard rushed into the water. He held onto the boy and tried to pull him back to shore, all while being battered by the surf. Other swimmers attempted to help before another lifeguard reached the pair.
“The waves, I wouldn’t say they were tranquil, but they were what you’d expect, a normal cadence and intensity,” witness Scott Vander Dussen said. “And 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’s time. I’m glad it ended the way it did. I’m certain if the lifeguards weren’t there, he wouldn’t have gone home that night.”
Vander Dussen said the boy was evaluated by paramedics before being released to his parents. While 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. Dangerous surf conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday.
The dramatic rescue caught the attention of President Donald Trump. He posted on Truth Social in response to his son Eric Trump sharing the video that the lifeguard deserved to be honored at the White House. “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 posted.
Asked for more details, the White House referred KCRA 3 to the Truth Social post. Hazardous surf conditions are forecast to persist through Wednesday.
