Profile | Biography | Career Highlights

Joey Buran began surfing at the age of 12 in 1973. By 1975 he was ranked as the top amateur surfer in California. At the age of 17 he turned pro in 1978 and became California's top pro that year by finishing 27th in the world.
Making it into the final round of the Pipeline Masters contest in Hawaii that year, he received the nickname of the "California Kid" given to him by ABC's Wide World of Sports. Until he left the Pro Surfing Tour in 1985, Joey was recognized as California's top pro surfer and its trailblazer and ambassador on the world tour.
In 1980, finishing 13th in the world, he became the first and only Californian to finish in the top 16 on the IPS World Tour. Also that year he became the first Californian to win an IPS world event by finishing first in Brazil. He also competed in the finals of the Pipeline Masters again that year.
In 1981 he won the California stubbies contest, in 1983 the Hang Ten Grand Prix placed second in the OP Pro Final that year.

1984 was highlighted with a win at the Katin Team Challenge, a win at the Tropix Grand Prix, and culminating in winning surfing's most prestigious contest, the Pipeline Masters - in 20' surf. His ranking of 7th in the world that year made him the first Californian to ever make the top 10 in the world. Joey was voted "Most Improved Surfer" in the world that year by the ASP World Tour. In 1985 he founded and directed the US Pro Tour of Surfing which it still the most established pro surfing tour in the United States.

In 1987 Joey Committed his life to Jesus Christ and shortly thereafter felt a calling to serve in the ministry. From 1988 to 1990 he served as an assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel of Vista. There are over 700 Calvary Chapels in the United States, many of which are in Southern California. Calvary Chapels are non-denominational, conservative, evangelical churches that are well known for their outreach to any and all, and are embraced by the youth culture, and all ages as faithfully preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.


In these years he also was a guest speaker in many locations and was involved and starred in the evangelical surf movies, "Son Riders" and "A Wave Of Life". In 1991 Joey moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia to start and oversee a Calvary Chapel. He served as senior pastor there for 4 years and during the growth of that church, also helped establish 2 other churches, 1 in Newport News, Virginia and 1 in Manahawkin, New Jersey. During this time Joey was featured on a number of different CBN specials including co-hosting "Fun In The Son" a summer special that targeted the youth culture. The next move was to Burlington, Vermont to start and pastor a church there which he did until returning to California in 1996.

Upon returning to California Joey became involved in numerous guest speaking and ministry opportunities. He also re-entered the surfing community as a manager and coach of the Billabong Amateur Surf Team. 1997 marked his return to professional surfing which culminated in winning the Oxbow World Championship in Puerto Escondido, Mexico in 1998, becoming World Champion in the over 35 class, with the unique distinction of being World Champ and an ordained Calvary Chapel Pastor! He returned to compete in the Pipeline Masters that year as well as competing in other events. 1999 brought a position at Billabong as national coach for the US Surf Team and competing in his final pro event, the Pipeline Masters again.



Being called by GOD to return to full-time ministry, he resigned his position at Billabong in December and in January of 2000 returned to guest speaking and full-time ministry focusing on youth outreach, public school Christian clubs, youth retreats and camps. The summer of 2000 found Joey being a full-time assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel Of Costa Mesa, the largest of the Calvary Churches, serving under pastor Chuck Smith, the founder of the Calvary Movement. Beginning in the spring of 2000, Joey began teaching at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa a weekly bible study in the main sanctuary on Thursday nights, targeting youth which became to be known as Worship Generation. Along with all these ministry commitments Joey continued his involvement in the surf industry when he served as the contest director of the WCT Billabong Pro in September of 2000.

After serving at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for five years Joey stepped out to start a brand new Church in coastal, Central Orange County using the established name of Worship Generation. In June of 2005 Worship Generation Orange County held its first service in the city of Fountain Valley . During this time Joey focused on the priorities of the new Church but continued his involvement with the surfing community. This included his attendance at the 35th Pipe Masters anniversary celebration as well as his ongoing personal coaching of two of the NSSA's top young surfers, Jared and Taylor Thorne. In early August 2007 Joey was approached by Surfing America (The governing body of both amateur and potential Olympic surfing in the United States ) to become head coach of the US National Team. On August 8th he accepted the position and presently holds the distinction of being the Pastor of a Church and head coach of the US National Team!


Joey, His wife Jennifer, and their 4 children Hannah (17), Leah (15), Timothy (13), Luke (10) current reside in Cost Mesa California. Their vision is to continue to impact the youth of California and the nation while serving the congregation of Worship Generation.

 

  
     
     
     
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