We were lucky to catch up with John Hall recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi John, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
I work full-time and have a pretty packed schedule, but I’ve discovered that starting my day with a sunrise surf along with friends sets me off on the right foot to tackle whatever challenges the day throws at me. Initially, I thought this feeling might just be a placebo effect. However, upon doing some research, I found compelling scientific evidence supporting the benefits of this routine. Beginning the day with a morning surf and social connection has profound positive effects on both mental and physical well-being.
The combination of morning sun exposure, cold water immersion, and physical activity serves to regulate the internal clock, alleviate stress, enhance focus, and bolster the immune system, among other benefits. While a solo surf session can be great, sharing the experience with friends amplifies its impact. The social connection fosters a sense of grounding and boosts my mood and overall happiness.
Inspired by this realization, I founded First Light Surf Club, a community and brand aimed at encouraging others to embrace the power of morning surfing with friends before diving into the workday. Through this brand, I hope to help others experience the transformative effects of this simple yet potent self-care practice.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In 2022, I launched First Light Surf Club with a vision born out of personal experience. Transitioning to a new job with a tighter schedule, I found my solace and energy in early morning surf sessions at first light. The brief window to catch waves became my lifeline; without it, I felt drained, mentally foggy, and less effective at work. This realization sparked a desire to share the transformative power of morning surfing with others who, like me, juggle full-time jobs and a passion for surfing.
As a creative, I saw an opportunity to channel my passion into a meaningful outlet. Thus, First Light Surf Club was conceived—a community, brand, and lifestyle dedicated to the working individuals who surf before work. Our ethos revolves around the love of surfing, enjoying good coffee, and fostering a sense of community.
Through First Light Surf Club, I aim to advocate for mental health, promote physical wellness, and combat workplace burnout. Our brand mission is to empower and encourage individuals to make the most of their morning before the 8-to-5 grind begins.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue expanding our reach, hosting community events, creating new content for people to engage with, and launching new products that resonate with our community. With First Light Surf Club, we invite everyone to embrace the morning and dedicate time for some waves, coffee, and community.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My top advice for someone starting on their entrepreneurial journey is simple: don’t wait for perfection; just get started. Put your idea out there, engage with your community, stay flexible, and grow with them. Reflecting on my own experience with First Light Surf Club, I spent over a year refining the concept trying to make it perfect. However, it wasn’t until my wife urged me to take action and initiate something that actual progress was achieved. It’s challenging to make headway when a brand exists solely in the realm of ideas. Once I got something in front of people and the community began to form, the brand truly began to take shape. Therefore, I believe the three most crucial qualities are taking action, listening to your audience, and staying flexible.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
The support First Light Surf Club has received from other local small businesses has been instrumental in our success thus far. For our SIP & RIP community surf events, we’ve had some incredible coffee, drink, and snack sponsors such as Seaborne Coffee, Necessity Coffee, Arete Adaptogens, Locals Only Vodka, Nova Kombucha, Best Day Brewing, and Fringe Food Co. These businesses have all generously supported our mission of spreading stoke and promoting positive well-being within the community. We’ve also had the privilege of partnering with impactful nonprofits such as Un Mar De Colores, Brown Girl Surf, and Urban Surf 4 Kids, donating a portion of our merchandise sales to their causes. Additionally, we’ve had the pleasure of teaming up with local surfboard brand Degree33 to host surfboard demos at our meetups.
In addition to the small businesses and organizations we’ve partnered with, we’ve worked with a ton of creatives and photographers to help capture and create content. Everything from surf photo and videography on land, in water, and in the air as well as the team at Amigo Studios has been really great in helping film our podcast series, First Light Surf Club Spotlight Sessions. Speaking of the podcast, if you have any thoughts on who we should interview next, let us know!
All these collaborations have unfolded organically, driven by a shared commitment to promoting community. As we continue to grow, we’re always on the lookout for new opportunities to collaborate and for people to help us grow the brand. If you’re interested in partnering or creating with us and supporting our mission, we welcome you to reach out and connect. Whether you’re looking to sponsor a SIP & RIP, you’ve got a camera and you want to shoot some content, or you’ve got another idea, don’t hesitate to reach out! Let’s work together to spread positivity and stoke in our community!
Lastly, merchandise sales are huge in helping us grow this brand and community. The best way to partner with us is by ordering some merchandise. We greatly appreciate all of your support and we are confident you’ll be stoked on the new digs.
Contact Info:
- 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
Matt Willingham Omar David Bri Chew Kyle Varonfakis John Hall
