US President Donald Trump has honoured 16-year-old California lifeguard Ryder Williams at the White House after the teenager rescued a 10-year-old Indian-American boy from dangerous ocean surf in a viral incident at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz.

Trump met Williams, Nathaniel Rai, 10, and their families in the Oval Office on Monday, praising the teenager for rushing into the water to save Rai after a powerful wave swept him into the ocean.

"It's an honour to be with Ryder Williams," Trump said during the meeting.

Williams was on duty at Seabright State Beach on July 25 when Rai was pulled into the water. As powerful waves repeatedly crashed over them, the teenage lifeguard rushed to the boy. Another lifeguard later helped bring both of them safely back to shore.

The dramatic rescue was captured on video and went viral. According to Fox News, the footage caught the attention of Eric Trump before President Trump invited Williams and Rai to the White House.

Trump described Williams' actions as "incredible" and said the teenager was an inspiration for young Americans.

"What you did was incredible, and everybody saw it," Trump told Williams.

Williams, who hopes to become a firefighter, credited his training for helping him respond during the dangerous rescue.

"In those dangerous moments that we have, we always try to fall back on our training," Williams told reporters. "We are trained so well by many to handle that situation as best we can."

He also said he hoped the incident would encourage others to look out for people around them and help whenever possible.

"I hope that everybody can take away from this and try to help more people. Try to look out for everybody around you and just try to help everybody out as much as you can," Williams said.

Rai's father, Sumit Rai, was also present at the Oval Office meeting and thanked Williams for saving his son, saying he was "beyond grateful" for the rescue.

Trump also used the occasion to highlight the work of lifeguards, saying they may not always receive the credit they deserve.

"Maybe lifeguards don't get the credit they deserve," Trump said.

With ANI inputs