Joey Buran, the “California Kid”, early 80’s
1973 Began Surfing at the Age of 12
1975 Finalist 14 and under (Boys Div.) U.S. Amateur Championships
1976-1977 #1 Ranked 15-17 (Junior Div.) Two years in a row in California
1977 West Coast Champion, Runner- up U.S. Amateur Championships 15-17 (Junior Div.)
1978 Member U.S. National Amateur Team, Finalist World Amateur Championships
1978 Turned Pro at the age of 17, Defeated World Champion Rabbit Bartholomew man on man in first pro event
1978 Won first pro title in Oceanside, CA at the California Pro
1978 Finalist Pipe Masters
1978 Finished 27th on IPS World Tour Ratings, Voted Most Inspirational Surfer IPS World Tour
1979 Finished 28th on IPS World Tour Ratings
1980 First Californian to win IPS World Tour event (Waimea 5000, Brazil)
1980 Finalist Pipe Masters
1980 Finished 13th on IPS World Tour Ratings
1981 Won the prestigious California Stubbies Pro
1981 Finished 13th on IPS World Tour Ratings
1982 Voted 9th on the Surfer Magazine Surfer Poll
1982 Finished 14th on IPS World Tour Ratings
Joey Buran’s winning wave at the 1984 Pipeline Masters Championship
1983 Hired former world champion Peter Townend as personal coach, Began sponsorship with surfboard shaper and long time friend Mike Baron
1983 Hang Ten Grand Prix Champion, Runner-up OP Pro
1984 Won Katin Pro, Tropics Grand Prix Champion, Won Real Savage Pro
1984 Won Pipe Masters
1984 Voted 8th on the Surfer Magazine Surfer Poll
1984 Finished 7th on ASP World Tour Ratings, Voted Most Improved Surfer ASP World Tour
1985 Semi Retired from ASP World Tour to found and direct PSAA U.S. Pro Tour
1985 Finished 16th ASP World Tour Ratings
1987 Finalist U.S. Pro Championships, Last final of primary pro career, Retired from competition
1998 Won ASP Masters World Championships, Competed in Pipe Masters Trials
1999 Coached Billabong USA Surf Team, competed in Pipe Masters Trials
Joey Buran Pipeline 1985
2000 Coached Billabong USA Surf Team, Competed in Pipe Masters Trials, Final Retirement
Additional Career Records and Information
Total Pro Victories: 12
World Tour Final Ratings Top 16 Finishes: 5
Total Magazine Cover Shots: 7
Major Sponsors Throughout Career:
Billabong, Hang Ten, Offshore Clothing, Body Glove Wetsuits, O’Neill Wetsuits, MB Surf Designs, Byrne Surfboards, Town & Country Surfboards, Midget Smith Surfboards, Surf Ride Board Shops
Joey Buran Imperial Beach 2005
World Tour Records:
First Californian to win a World Tour event (1980)
First Californian to finish in World Tour Top 20 (1980)
First Californian (7th), along with Tom Curren (8th) to finish in World Tour Top 10 (1984)
Participant in first all Californian World Tour final along with Tom Curren (1983 OP Pro)
Youngest finalist in history of Pipe Masters (age 17, 1978)