Joey Buran, born on August 15, 1957, in Pasadena, California, is one of surfing's greats.
Known as the "California Kid," he was the top-ranked professional surfer in California from 1978 to 1984.
His career peaked in 1984 when he won the prestigious Pipeline Masters in Hawaii, cementing his reputation as one of the sport's best.
In 1985, after retiring from competition and founding the U.S. Pro Tour of Surfing, Buran nearly died from malaria during a surf trip to Indonesia.
He spent years recovering but eventually returned to win the 1998 ASP World Masters Championship in Mexico. In 2009, he was inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame.
Beyond surfing, Buran became a coach, mentoring top surfers like Chris Ward and Courtney Conlogue.
As coach of the USA Junior Surf Team, he led them to a gold medal and a world title in 2017.
By the time he retired from coaching in 2018, he was recognized as the most successful coach in American surfing history.
Buran's life took a new direction in 1988 when he became a Christian and began working as a pastor. He has since planted churches in Virginia, Vermont, and California.
Since 2005, he has led Worship Generation, a church in Fountain Valley. His ministry has included international outreach, surf coaching clinics, and evangelism.
Today, Buran lives in Huntington Beach with his wife, Jennifer. They have four children and several grandchildren.
Joey Buran's life is defined by his love for surfing, his faith, and his dedication to helping others.