The rescue unfolded Saturday as heavy crowds packed the beach and treacherous waves pounded the shoreline. In seconds, the boy was swept into deeper surf, where powerful waves turned an ordinary beach day into a life threatening emergency. I put my fins on my wrist, popped my buoy and entered the water to get ahold of the child,” Williams said. Fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen eventually reached Williams and Nathaniel after several more waves slammed into the pair. After saving a child from violent surf, Williams climbed back into his tower and finished the rest of his shift.