The ocean is a powerful place. Between waves, rip currents, and sea creatures, swimming in open waters is something you should take seriously. This writer swam in the Pacific off the coast of Hawaii, and it was an eye-opening experience. Things can go wrong very quickly; actor Malcolm Jamal Warner died last summer after getting caught in a rip current off the coast of Costa Rica.
In Santa Cruz, California, a young boy was stuck in rough waves when a 16-year-old lifeguard went into the water to save him.
🚨WOW. Child Dramatically Rescued in Santa Cruz yesterday
— FoxyFarmer🦊🇺🇸 (@GardensR4Health) July 27, 2026
A 16yr old Lifeguard went VIRAL for the rescue, exhibiting STUNNING lifesaving skills
As onlookers attempted to help, they too were almost swept away, the young lifeguard telling them to save themselves pic.twitter.com/atvNEa4exW
Absolutely incredible to watch.
A dramatic rescue at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz is highlighting the dangers of powerful surf and rip currents along the California coast this week.
"I heard those waves come crashing in, and I looked out and saw just a head going back out," Santa Cruz resident Scott Vander Dussen told CBS News Bay Area.
Vander Dussen was at the beach Saturday afternoon taking photographs when he noticed someone struggling in the water and alerted a nearby lifeguard.
"The waves themselves, just the sound of them crashing, it demanded everyone's attention," he said.
Video of the rescue shows the lifeguard struggling to bring the swimmer toward shore as large waves repeatedly crashed over them.
The lifeguard in his first season and returned to work on Sunday.
The sea was angry that day, my friends. Like an old man trying to send back soup at a deli
— Scott G (@scttfrnks) July 27, 2026
The boy wasn't the only one who had to be rescued that day, according to the original poster.
20 more people had to be rescued at this beach same day!
— FoxyFarmer🦊🇺🇸 (@GardensR4Health) July 27, 2026
CBS News reported that the number was actually 25 people.
This lifeguard is an absolute UNIT. The fact he never let go, never panicked, and never gave up to save himself is apex-predator heroics.
— Bryan Beal 🎧 (@bryanrbeal) July 28, 2026
And only 16??!!
Unreal. https://t.co/01fAM0LaXZ
It was an impressive rescue.
CBS News reported there were no serious injuries from this incident, and the boy and those who helped him and the lifeguard are all doing well.
President Trump also announced this afternoon that the lifeguard will be honored at the White House for his heroic efforts.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/MKoXDUTXx5 pic.twitter.com/5WjIKTTBuY
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) July 28, 2026
"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!" the President wrote on Truth Social.
BREAKING: Trump announces he will be bringing this lifeguard to the White House to give him a High Civilian Honor
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 28, 2026
Wow!
Well deserved! 🥇 pic.twitter.com/Q3bilMHuSg
The White House account also shared the President's remarks.
"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!" - President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/5IoSQPd93Q
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 28, 2026
It's deserved.