Santa Cruz Proposes Female Surfer Statue to Complement West Cliff Landmark

The new bronze sculpture would mirror the iconic "To Honor Surfing" statue, but depict a woman in a wetsuit.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manu Koenig has announced a proposal to install a new bronze statue of a female surfer on East Cliff Drive, mirroring the existing "To Honor Surfing" statue on West Cliff. The new sculpture would be similar in scale, material, and artistic vision to the original, but would feature a woman in a wetsuit as a nod to local surfing pioneer Jack O'Neill.

Why it matters

The proposed statue would create a complementary landmark on the East Cliff, helping to highlight Santa Cruz's rich surfing heritage and culture. It would also provide gender representation in the city's public art, reflecting the important contributions of women to the sport of surfing.

The details

The new statue would be approximately 18 feet tall and would be sculpted by the same artist who created the original "To Honor Surfing" statue in the 1990s. The proposal also includes plans for a 650-square-foot public plaza with three concrete benches and drought-tolerant landscaping. The project requires a coastal development permit, a site development permit, and a variance to reduce the required front yard and side yard setbacks.

  • The notice of proposed development was posted on a tree across from the intersection of Manzanita Drive and East Cliff Drive.
  • A public hearing before the zoning administrator is scheduled for March 2026.
  • Completion of the project is expected by spring 2027.

The players

Manu Koenig

Santa Cruz County Supervisor who announced the proposed statue on social media.

Jack O'Neill

Local surfing pioneer whose contributions to the sport are being honored with the wetsuit design of the proposed statue.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The next step is a public hearing before the zoning administrator in March 2026, with completion expected by spring 2027.

The takeaway

The proposed female surfer statue on East Cliff Drive would create a complementary landmark to the iconic West Cliff surfing statue, helping to celebrate Santa Cruz's rich surfing heritage and provide greater gender representation in the city's public art.