A weekend lifeguard shift turned into a national moment for a 16-year-old in Santa Cruz County. The teen rescued a 10-year-old boy from hazardous surf at Seabright Beach, and the entire thing was caught on camera. That video eventually reached President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social that the young lifeguard deserves a High Civilian Honor at the White House.
According to witnesses, the boy was struggling in rough water when the lifeguard jumped in without hesitation. Paramedics checked the child at the scene before releasing him to his parents. Scott Vander Dussen, the man who filmed the rescue, said the teen acted quickly and professionally. Trump’s post praised the lifeguard as“very brave”and said he wants to bring the teen and his family to Washington for the ceremony.
Hazardous surf conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday, making this a timely reminder about beach safety. Rip currents and heavy waves can catch even strong swimmers off guard. What do you think — should everyday heroes like this get more recognition? Let us know in the comments.
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Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
