Joey Buran, one of the most recognizable and influential stars and personalities of surfing's rise to cultural prominence in the 1980s and later a renowned minister, published his long-anticipated memoir, "Beyond the Dream."
"Beyond the Dream" commemorates the 40th anniversary of Buran's signature professional surfing accomplishment of a brilliant 10-year career - winning the coveted 1984 Pipeline Masters in Hawaii, the sport's most prestigious event.
Not only that but right after winning surfing's Super Bowl, Buran shocked the surfing world by retiring shortly thereafter, in the prime of his career, to pursue a second, higher calling.
He became a minister and then impacted and inspired others through his subsequent 37 years of service, his signature work being through Calvary Chapel and the Worship Generation, which celebrates its own 25th anniversary in 2025.
"When editor Robert Yehling brought 'Beyond the Dream' to my attention, I immediately knew that it would be the perfect fit for our Transformation Media Books imprint, with its combo of Buran's meteoric rise in the sport of surfing, followed by a difficult period of his life and subsequent spiritual calling to be a minister," noted Transformation Media publisher Jennifer Geist.
"Threaded through both sides of Buran's story is his incredible love of life and positive attitude, which are sure to exhilarate readers, whether they're sports fans, memoir lovers, or most interested in his spiritual journey."
"I'm willing to bet no matter which topic brings readers to Buran's memoir, they will find inspiration throughout his compelling life story, from California Kid to Worship Generation founder."
"Beyond the Dream" fully captures Buran's incandescent personality, storytelling prowess, and deeper meaning of attaining our inner and outer greatness, which for him began as a wave-hungry 12-year-old obsessed with one thing - winning the Pipeline Masters, surfing's most revered event, which he first saw on ABC's Wide World of Sports in the 1970s.
He chased that dream to its satisfying conclusion, along the way becoming the first US mainland surfer to finish in the Top 8 in the world, and also became the face of a sport and culture on the rise with media throughout the world.
His relentless desire to win and confident, open-hearted, and, at times, brash ways of sharing his sport with the world drew an entire generation to the beach.
He helped create surfing's cultural boom through music, TV, fashion, and competition.
All of this came to his great climactic moment when he won the 1984 Pipeline Masters - 12 years after first telling his mother he would do so.
After he retired from competing, Buran founded and produced the US Pro Tour of Surfing, but his later calling lay even higher - in ministerial service.
In 1988, Buran joined Calvary Chapel as a minister.
Following a year of service in California, Virginia, and Vermont, he returned home, got back in the water, and won the coveted World Masters Surfing Championships (for former world tour surfers over 35).
In 2000, he formed what has become one of the greatest youth ministries of our time, Worship Generation, in his home of Huntington Beach.
During his service with Worship Generation, Buran's love of mentoring spilled over to surfing.
He became the coach for three national teams - USA, Chile, and Great Britain - and led Team USA to the 2017 Gold Medal. Members of that team later went on to top-of-the-rankings pro tour careers.
Through it all, Buran's love of his family, his faith, and surfing run like three unbreakable threads.
"Beyond the Dream" captures the highs, lows, and critical decision-making moments of a singular life that speaks to just how far we can carry our dreams if we are willing to do whatever it takes to make the biggest steps forward - and how much they can transform not only our own lives but others in the process.
"Beyond the Dream" sees the light of day in late 2024, in time for the 40th anniversary commemoration of Buran's victory at Pipeline Masters and leading up to the 25th anniversary of the Worship Generation.
It is published in trade paperback and hardcover, as well as an ebook for all readers.
Book Details
Author: Joey Buran
Publisher: Transformation Media Books (September 3, 2024)
Language: English
Paperback: 268 pages
ISBN-10: 1956897445
ISBN-13: 978-1956897449
Dimensions: 9x6x0.6 inches