Crowds gathered at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California, experienced a dramatic rescue as lifeguards saved a young boy from rough ocean conditions. Over the weekend, tropical cyclones in the eastern Pacific Ocean created dangerous 10-foot waves.

Witness Scott Vander Dussen described seeing a ‘black dot,’ which turned out to be a 10-year-old boy caught in the waves and dragged by rip currents. California State Parks officials reported that a wave knocked the boy off balance. Lifeguards quickly responded to the emergency.

“Someone is being swept and carried out to the ocean,” Vander Dussen informed the lifeguards.

Vander Dussen recorded the tense rescue, showing a lifeguard holding onto the boy as waves surged around them. Two lifeguards eventually brought the boy safely to shore. Vander Dussen mentioned the boy was exhausted and unable to swim back himself but was thankfully unharmed.

Among the rescuers was a rookie lifeguard, aged 16-17, praised by Vander Dussen for his courage. Despite attempts by bystanders, the lifeguards’ professional skills were vital in securing the boy’s safety. The beachgoers applauded when the boy reached the shore, reinforcing the lifeguards’ heroic efforts.

The story gained attention not only from the public but also from President Trump, who acknowledged the lifeguards’ bravery on social media. He proposed a High Civilian Honor for the young lifeguard at the White House.

Lifeguards in Santa Cruz District were busy last weekend, conducting 34 ocean rescues and making countless preventative contacts with visitors, State Parks officials reported. They explained the dangers of summer south swells, which can create misleadingly calm conditions.

A Beach Hazards Statement from the National Weather Service warns of sneaker waves and rip currents, advising people to stay out of the water and never turn their back on the ocean. In emergencies, officials urge contacting lifeguards or calling 9-1-1 instead of attempting a rescue.