Joey Buran, the 1984 Pipeline Master champ, just debuted his new autobiography “Beyond the Dream: From the King of Pipeline to a Life of Serving and Inspiring Others.” The much-anticipated memoir of Buran’s journey from the California Kid who won the Pipe Masters to a highly respected minister nationwide, the unveiling took place at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside.
Buran, a great storyteller, spent nearly an hour sharing is tales from the tube, as well as his win at Pipeline, which is the singular achievement that launched his life’s career.
“There has never been anyone or anything even close to the surfing, the brand and the legacy of Gerry Lopez. The skill, the style, the influence, King of the Pipeline, beginning of the Pipeline Masters and the birth of modern pro surfing … he profoundly shaped and influenced it all,” Buran told SURFER.
“It was my purpose and dream to be like Gerry Lopez and become King of the Pipeline! There had to be a dream and a big one at that! And…there had to be something even greater beyond the dream. This is my story,” he continued.
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So, how is the story? I know Buran won’t take offense when I say I was pleasantly surprised at how compelling the story of his life actually is. After all, I am a writer who loves to surf and loves to tell surf stories. Buran is a top tier former pro who loves to surf and likes to tell surf stories. So, if he saw me take a wave at Pipe and actually make the drop and get to the end of the wave unscathed, he’d probably give me a high five. I’ve never done that at Pipe, but Buran has successfully dropped in, carved some great lines, and even a few tense turns and funny flourishes.
Credit should be given to Bob Yehling, a surfer and professional writer and book editor who guided Buran’s structure to make it a good read for anybody. From the opening chapter confronting his deepest anxiety about leading a pack of pros as their coach, Buran shares his approach to dealing with his career-defining victory at Pipeline, creating the United States’ first professional surfing tour—then hitting a low period of doubt and confusion dark enough to nearly cost him his life.
Bottom line: Joey’s story is a lot more compelling and his telling of the tales is a lot more interesting than most pro surfers – and a lot more inspirational too. Self-published and available for under $20, it’s a bargain and a page-turner all in one.
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