Eventually the title became Surfing Magazine and moved to Southern California.

In 1980, Australian millionaire Clyde Packer bought the magazine after leaving his native Australia and settling in Laguna Beach and ultimately, Santa Barbara.

The magazine moved its offices to San Clemente where it was published for more than 15 years before being purchased by Primedia, Inc., and later purchased again by supermarket magnate Ron Burkle's Source Interlink.

In November 1995, the magazine's Senior Editor Skip Snead worked with Santa Cruz aerial innovator Shawn "Barney" Barron to develop the Surfing Magazine "Airshow" an aerial surfing competition.

[3] In January 2017, the magazine's owners, , announced that Surfing Magazine would cease its print edition and its digital assets would be folded into fellow TEN title and longtime competitor Surfer.