On Saturday, a 10-foot shore-break wave slammed into Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California, and pulled a young boy under the water. A 16-year-old lifeguard went in anyway — a decision that, within days, would land him an invitation to the White House.
The footage runs about two minutes: the young boy disappearing under whitewater, the lifeguard disappearing with him, both surfacing again — still together — before going under once more.
‘Truly the best of America.’
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Beachgoer Scott Vander Dussen caught it on his phone from start to finish.
Other swimmers tried to help and got thrown back for their trouble before a second lifeguard finally reached the pair.
NBC Bay Area identified the lifeguard as a high school student; his name is Ryder Williams.
Vander Dussen
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