Meet John Hall | Founder of First Light Surf Club – a brand, community, and lifestyle

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Hall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m continually inspired by the people I’ve connected with through First Light Surf Club. The idea for this brand came to me when I realized that starting my day with a morning surf puts me in a better mood and mindset for whatever work and challenges lie ahead. I felt that existing surf brands didn’t quite speak to someone working a full-time job who just loves starting their day with a surf no matter their skill level.

So, I set out to create a brand and a community that spoke to this audience, encouraging everyone to make the most of their mornings before diving into the demands of the day. I initiated an interview series called ‘First Light Spotlight,’ where I engage with surfers from diverse backgrounds and regions. Through these interviews, we explore why they surf and how the ocean and the early morning surf sessions positively impact their moods and perspectives.

It’s been fascinating interviewing people from various professions, spanning from teaching to finance, and hailing from all corners of North America, from San Diego to Nova Scotia and even the Great Lakes. What’s striking is how different these individuals may seem, yet they all share the common thread of surfing and its profound impact on their lives.

There are moments in my life when I find myself caught up in the business of daily life or being picky about the surf forecast and weather, and my passion for surfing can sometimes take a backseat. Then, I’ll interview someone who daily takes an hour-long drive just to get a surf in before work, someone who braves surfing in the snow, or even someone who rides the waves of a lake. These stories remind me to prioritize the simple joys of surfing and not to take anything for granted.

My hope is that by sharing the stories of everyday people committed to doing what they love, we can inspire others to do the same.

The community that has grown through all this is a testament that the message is resonating with people. Furthermore, at the request of the community, we started hosting in-person meetups for people to connect and surf with each other. It’s encouraging to see how the group has grown and witness people connecting and building lasting friendships through First Light Surf Club.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
One of the special things about First Light Surf Club is the community it has cultivated. We organize a pre-work coffee and surf meetup called SIP & RIP that happens every third Thursday of the month for anyone who wants to join. It’s been a fun way to connect with other like-minded individuals and share the passion of surfing before we head off to our respective workdays.

I am really proud of our commitment to encouraging others to experience the benefits of surfing and fostering a more inclusive surf community. In pursuit of this goal, we have had the opportunity to give back to other organizations with a similar mission. Through the proceeds from our merchandise sales, we’ve been able to make contributions to organizations such as Urban Surf 4 Kids, Brown Girl Surf, and Un Mar De Colores.

It’s been really amazing to see how the brand has grown over the past year and a half and how the community has grown. I founded First Light Surf Club because of my passion for surfing and building community. It also serves as a needed creative outlet, especially since my full-time job outside of FLSC doesn’t fully satisfy that. Balancing both my day job and FLSC hasn’t always been easy, but the incredible community that has formed through it continues to provide the inspiration and motivation to continue.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The day would obviously begin at first light with a surf. Where we surf would depend on the swell that day, but it would fall somewhere between Encinitas, Carlsbad, or Oceanside. If the waves take us to Encinitas, we’d end up at Necessity Coffee after, followed by a visit to Roberto’s Taco Shop for a breakfast burrito. If we surf Carlsbad, we’d head to Steady State for coffee and enjoy a breakfast burrito at Vallarta Express. If the surf took us to Oceanside, we’d stop at Seaborne Coffee after surfing, followed by a breakfast burrito at Colimas. The rest of the day might involve playing some pickleball, lunch at Board and Brew, returning to the beach to watch the sunset, and finally, we’d wrap up the day at one of the great local breweries in town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First Light Surf Club wouldn’t be where it is today without the help of my friends and fellow passionate creators. My close friend Aaron Cantleberry has been instrumental in creating content, handling videography and photography, and serving as a sounding board for ideas. The brand owes a significant part of its success to him. He has a creative business called CantleberryCreative; I encourage you to check it out.

Another friend, Austin Faure, who co-owns Amigo Studios in Oceanside, is an exceptional videographer and has also played a significant role in the brand’s journey and growth.

Additionally, I’m grateful for the support and collaborations we’ve had with local businesses such as Necessity Coffee in Encinitas, Seaborne Coffee in Oceanside, Locals Only Vodka, Best Pizza and Brew, The Board Source in Carlsbad and Degree33 Surfboards, among others. Their support has been invaluable to our growth.

Then lastly, anyone that has ever come to one of the meetups, read any of the spotlight interviews, or bought any First Light Surf Club merchandise, I couldn’t keep doing this without their support.

Website: https://firstlightsurf.club/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstlightsurfclub/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-light-surf-club

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@firstlightsurfclub

Other: Podcast – https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/first-light-surf-club

Image Credits
Aaron Cantleberry, Matt Willingham, John Hall