Young boy rescued from treacherous California surf at Santa Cruz beach

(CBS, KYMA) - Ten-year-old Nathaniel Rye says he was standing in ankle deep water on a Santa Cruz beach last month when a powerful wave knocked him off balance and a rip current started pulling him out into the ocean.

Cellphone video captured Ryder Williams, a 16-year-old rookie lifeguard, diving into the rough water to save Nathaniel who had lost consciousness.

Another lifeguard and several bystanders also jumped in to pull them both back to shore.

"Before the lifeguard came, I felt I was going to like die," said Rye.

Rye and his father spoke to Williams for the first time over the weekend and thanked him for being a guardian angel.

They say they're working on plans to meet in person in the near future.