The family of 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams says they are working with the White House to arrange a visit after President Donald Trump announced that he intends to personally honor the California teenager for his courageous rescue of a 10-year-old boy caught in dangerous surf.

According to Ryder’s father, retired firefighter Shane Williams, members of the president’s staff have already reached out, although no official schedule has yet been finalized.

“The White House has contacted us but there’s been no official date or time,” Ryder’s father, retired firefighter Shane Williams, 54, told The California Post.

Trump extended the invitation after dramatic footage of Ryder’s rescue at Seabright Beach spread across social media, drawing nationwide attention. The president said he wants to welcome Ryder and his family to Washington, D.C., where he plans to personally present the young lifeguard with a prestigious civilian award recognizing his heroism.

Despite the sudden national spotlight, Shane Williams said the family is eager to return to everyday routines as Ryder gets ready to begin the school year on Aug. 6.

“We just want to get back to normal life and let him start high school and start playing water polo,” he said.

Ryder’s father also expressed appreciation for the recognition his son has received from President Trump.

“I would love to take my son there and I think he deserves that.”

Shane said Ryder is currently limiting media appearances to interviews coordinated through California State Parks. He added that so many people have been contacting the family since the rescue that he could not even recall which White House official had called because his phone had been “blowing up.”

He also declined to discuss when the family expects to travel to Washington or whether Ryder will meet again with the 10-year-old boy he rescued, explaining that any future announcements will come through California State Parks.

Ryder’s act of heroism took place on July 25, when an unexpected 8-to-10-foot sneaker wave swept 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, of Dallas, into deep water off Seabright Beach.

The teenage lifeguard fought through pounding waves for approximately two minutes before reaching the unconscious boy in the water.

Another lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, swam out to assist, and together the two rescuers brought Nathaniel back to shore, where lifesaving efforts successfully revived him.

Nathaniel is expected to make a full recovery from the terrifying ordeal.

The dramatic rescue occurred during an exceptionally busy day for Santa Cruz district lifeguards, who responded to 34 separate rescues along the coastline.

Nathaniel’s father, Sumit Rai, previously praised Ryder’s actions, telling The NY Post he was “so grateful” to the young lifeguard for saving his son’s life.

{Matzav.com}