A California State Parks lifeguard is being recognized as a hero after rescuing a young boy from powerful surf at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, an act that has now drawn national attention from President Donald Trump.

The rescue occurred last weekend when unexpectedly large waves swept the child approximately 15 yards into the ocean. According to California State Parks, the lifeguard immediately entered the water, reached the struggling boy, and held onto him as powerful waves crashed overhead. With assistance from another lifeguard, the child was safely brought back to shore. He was evaluated by medical personnel and released to his parents without serious injuries.

Witness Scott Vander Dussen captured the dramatic rescue on video, describing how the ocean conditions changed “in a heartbeat.” Several bystanders attempted to assist but were forced back by the dangerous surf, highlighting the difficult conditions the lifeguards faced.

In response to the rescue, President Trump announced on social media that he intends to invite the lifeguard and his family to the White House, along with the boy he rescued, to present the young man with a high civilian honor.

“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,” Trump wrote. “Very brave, he deserves it!”

California State Parks also praised the lifeguard’s actions, noting that State Park lifeguards rescued 34 people over the weekend as dangerous ocean conditions impacted the California coast. Officials credited unusually large swells generated by Hurricanes Fausto and Genevieve in the Pacific, which prompted beach hazard warnings for much of the state’s coastline.

The identities of both the lifeguard and the child have not been released, but the rescue serves as a reminder of the critical role California’s lifeguards play in protecting beachgoers during hazardous conditions.