First Light Surf Club

Dawn Patrol with a Purpose

In the light before sunrise, a unique crew gathers at Turnarounds Beach in Carlsbad—surfboards under arms, coffee in hand. This is First Light Surf Club, a grassroots North County movement that’s part surf session, part community, and all about starting the day with stoke and purpose.

First Light Surf Club meeting in the morning.

Founded by Oceanside local John Hall, First Light was his answer to burnout and rigid routines. After working in marketing at REEF, then shifting to his family’s construction business during the pandemic, Hall found clarity in early morning surf sessions. “I felt so much better on the days I surfed before work,” he says. That ritual sparked the idea for First Light, which he now runs alongside his full-time role at Sony Electronics. From day one, Aaron Cantleberry has been a key part of the journey—capturing content, helping with edits, and now officially partnering with Hall to grow the brand.

Founded by Oceanside local John Hall, First Light was his answer to burnout and rigid routines.

"First Light Surf Club, a community of early risers who believe there’s no better way to start the day than in the ocean.”

What started as a few pre-dawn surf sessions with friends has grown into a monthly “Sip & Rip” meetup—coffee and surfing before work—that now draws around 40 regulars. The vibe is refreshingly inclusive: from high schoolers to CEOs, beginners to seasoned surfers, everyone’s welcome. No sign-up fee, no exclusivity—just a shared love for the ocean and the community it builds.

The club has teamed up with local coffee spots like Interim Coffee in Carlsbad, Necessity Coffee in Encinitas, and High Tide Coffee in Oceanside to keep the caffeine flowing during those early morning sessions. It’s all part of the community-first spirit—supporting local, connecting with others, and getting stoked for the day ahead.

The club has grown into more than just dawn patrol hangs. Through its blog The Water Cooler and podcast Spotlight Sessions, First Light amplifies stories of healing, resilience, and transformation through surfing. “Surfing is the cheapest therapy I can afford,” says one member, echoing a recurring theme of mental clarity and emotional reset. The club also puts its values into action by supporting nonprofits like Urban Surf 4 Kids, Salted Roots, Un Mar De Colores, and Boys 2 Men.

First Light offers a way to connect, find belonging, and start the day right. As Hall puts it, “This isn’t a brand about pro surfers—it’s about everyday people who start their morning in the ocean before clocking in.”

Want to join in? Just show up. Sip & Rips happen the third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 a.m. at Turnarounds.

Follow @firstlightsurfclub or visit firstlightsurf.club to see what’s next.