Jack Ventura of FARO Boardbags / Protecting Your Surfboard and Our Planet

December 1, 2025

Jack Ventura FARO Board Bags First Light Surf Club We’ve always had a deep appreciation for small, local surf brands built on passion, authenticity, and a willingness to take the slower, less-traveled path. FARO Board Bags is one of those brands. We recently sat down with Jack Ventura, a New Yorker turned San Diegan, to talk about his beginnings and commitment to crafting durable, sustainable board bags that stand against overconsumption.

The FARO mission isn't about just chasing eco-friendly labels and promoting green practices, it's about intentionality and building community through trust in a product that is reliable, one that can safely carry the personal stories and memories you create with your board.

Building a business from the ground up while maintaining a strong emphasis on good practices and community isn't easy. In this spotlight, Jack opens up about some of the struggles of those early days, and what giving back to the surf community truly means to him.

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Q. Can you give us a brief introduction?

Jack: My name’s Jack Ventura. Introductions are always kind of weird (explaining ourselves never feels natural) so maybe instead, I’ll share something that probably says more about me than I could.

When I was a freshman in college, I randomly picked up a book called Love Is a Dog from Hell by Charles Bukowski just because the cover looked cool. Since then, he’s become one of my favorite authors! That moment taught me a lot about serendipity — how the best things usually happen by accident — but also that luck is just preparation meeting opportunity.

Q. Growing up in New York, what was it like learning to surf out there and how has your love of surfing evolved over the years, especially since moving out to San Diego?

Jack: Growing up and learning to surf in New York in the early 2000s was cool. In my high school, my neighbor and I were the only two surfers I knew of in a school of over 3,000 kids.

I’ve always loved being part of something that felt underground, something no one else really understood. I think that’s why I fell in love with surfing — that sense of finding something sacred and keeping it close always appealed to me.

Since moving to San Diego, that being on the inside of surfing has changed a lot since a lot of people surf here, so my love for surfing evolved in a different way. Actually, weirdly it has become more about the Surfing… My ability, style, and board choices. Since there are waves all year you have more time in San Diego compared to NY to explore those aspects of surfing.

Jack Ventura FARO Board Bags First Light Surf Club

Q. What inspired you to start FARO and where did the name come from?

Jack: “FARO” means lighthouse in Spanish. The idea behind the name is — just as a lighthouse protects sailors navigating in and out of harbors, our bags protect your boards as you move up and down the coast.

I started FARO because I saw a need for well-made board bags backed by real people, not investment companies. There are plenty of great surf brands out there doing it right (shout out to First Light Surf Club!) but in the board bag space, it felt like there was room for something built with more soul and intention.

Q. You started FARO in 2020, which was obviously a real easy time to start a business… (totally kidding). What were some challenges you faced during that time, and how has FARO evolved to where it is today?

Jack: Technically, FARO started in 2018, though it was more an idea than a full business. I was getting samples made, finding production partners, doing the groundwork. Then COVID hit, and everything came to a halt.

That forced me into a DIY mindset — sewing, shipping, learning every piece of the process myself. Looking back, I wouldn’t change it. It taught me what it actually takes to build something from the ground up. It reminds me of learning to surf and the struggle that was for me… in business I feel like I am still not quite standing up clean on every wave, but getting closer, committed to the process, and totally in love with the ride.

Q. With an emphasis on sustainability as one of FARO’s central missions, how do you see your brand helping shift consumer habits away from overconsumption?

Jack: The goal has always been to push back against overconsumption by creating products that last. If we can make gear that holds up over time, and show people the value in paying a little more for something built right, maybe they’ll start applying that mindset to other parts of their life too.

Q. Can you share more about the process of sourcing recycled materials for your board bags? What’s the toughest part about ensuring those materials meet your durability standards while staying eco-friendly?

Jack: Sourcing recycled materials is a real challenge. They’re expensive, and often under-tested, which makes it hard to hit our durability standards. Over time, I’ve shifted from chasing “eco-friendly” labels to focusing more on longevity. To me, true sustainability isn’t just about materials — it’s about making something that can stand the test of time.

Q. Your self-taught sewing days in a basement kicked off FARO’s journey. How does that hands-on DIY spirit influence the brand and shape the way you and your team craft gear today?

Jack: Learning to sew in my mom’s basement was a trip — a mix of frustration, discovery, and pure curiosity. That DIY spirit still drives everything we do. It keeps me questioning things instead of accepting them at face value.

I’m not the best at every aspect of business, far from it actually… but I am good at asking questions. That curiosity comes from those early DIY days, trying to figure out how things actually work. It’s a mindset that’s woven into every bag we make.

Q. Running a business can be a grind. How does going for a surf and being in the ocean affect your mood and well-being? Do you have any other practices outside of surfing that keep you grounded?

Jack: The classic cliche: you start a surf company thinking it’ll help you surf more, but you actually end up surfing less. Still, when I do make it out, especially when I find a quiet nook somewhere in San Diego to surf alone, it completely resets my mood for the better.

Outside of surfing, I love to go for morning walks. Seriously, walking early in the morning is underrated. It’s simple, free, and good for you!

Q. Looking ahead, what’s exciting you most about the next chapter for FARO?

Jack: I’m excited to slowly step back from the pure DIY mode and bring in people who are better than me but who still share that same independent, hands-on spirit.

I want to build a team of people who’ve learned through trial and error, who’ve done things their own way and found what works.

So I am looking forward to FARO’s growth. But, the goal isn’t just to grow FARO as a brand — it’s to grow it into something that can truly give back to the surf community.

I sometimes feel like I’ve taken more than I’ve given, and I want to flip that. We make quality gear and that’s great, but the next chapter is about contributing to surf culture in a more meaningful way.