A 16-year-old lifeguard is being hailed a hero after he rescued a 10-year-old boy from monster waves in Santa Cruz, California, on Saturday.
Heart-pounding video of the dramatic rescue shows the teenage lifeguard calmly deploying his training techniques to rescue a young boy who was caught in violent waves.
The lifeguard repeatedly ducked under the whitewash as waves continued to crash on him during the rescue.
Bystanders tried to rush onto the shore to help the lifeguard pull the boy out of the churning water.
“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 told NBC Bay Area.
“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,” the witness said.
“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,” he added.
The young boy was evaluated and released to his family, NBC Bay Area reported.
Eric Trump called for the teen lifeguard to be awarded the highest civilian honor.
“Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honor. This is truly the best of America! Well done!” Eric Trump said on X.
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Santa Cruz lifeguards are required to complete a training program.
“Candidates must successful complete a minimum 56 hour Lifeguard training, plus 24 hours medical certification training if not currently certified to Title 22 First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer or higher,” the city of Santa Cruz says.
Much of the California coast is still under a National Weather Service Beach Hazards warning due to strong rip currents and large swells.
Hurricane Genevieve, a category 3 storm currently churning in the Eastern Pacific, is causing coastal flooding and large swells.
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