THE eagerly anticipated £100,000 surf sculpture in Newquay has been installed ahead of its official unveiling.

The 16-foot-high Surfer of the South bronze statue has been put in place at the Killacourt.

The official unveiling is due to take place sometime “early to mid May” after work to its base has been finished.

The piece has been donated to the town by The Keogh Foundation as part of recognising over 60 years of Newquay’s surfing heritage.

The statue has been named Surfer of the South in the hope it will receive the same sort of exposure that the Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead receives worldwide.

The sculpture has been made by the Morris Singer Foundry where Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Nic Fiddian-Green cast their bronzes.

A spokesperson for Newquay Town Council, which manages the Killacourt, said: “There has been exciting progress with the surf statue.

“The new sculpture is now fully in place, with only the final polishing left to complete.

“We’re looking forward to revealing the finished piece very soon.

“This striking new 16-foot bronze waverider sculpture celebrates over 60 years of surfing in Newquay honouring the very spot where Australian lifeguards first introduced fibreglass boards back in 1962.

“This piece is set to become a brand-new landmark for locals and visitors alike.”

Jonathan Start, on behalf of the Keogh Foundation, said: “The foundation is delighted to finally have the surfer and the support structure in place.

“There is some additional work to be completed to the base, which should take two to three weeks.

“We are hoping the fully finished sculpture is ready by the end of April and that it is handed over to the people of Newquay in early to mid May.

“The foundation is excited that the sculpture will be a lasting legacy for both Newquay’s surfing heritage and the late Stuart Keogh who had the idea back in the 1980s.

“Mrs Keogh is keen to continue the work of the foundation to benefit Newquay and its people.”

Mayor Drew Creek said: “It’s been a number of years in the making but here we are almost ready to unveil the surf statue on Newquay’s Killacourt.

“We thank the Keough Foundation for the kind gift of the statue and vision they had behind it, in celebration of Newquay’s surf culture.

“I am sure visitors will flock to it this summer and that is great news for our community, the heritage of surf culture in Newquay and indeed the premier town centre green space that is the Killacourt.”

The town council is urging people not to climb the surf statue.

A spokesperson said: “As the surf statue nears completion, the area remains an active construction site with scaffolding in place.

“Please do not attempt to enter the compound, as it is illegal and poses a serious safety risk.

“Please remember that the statue is not a climbing structure. Climbing, scaling or sitting on it could cause injury or damage.”