Surfer Toy

See if you can help this surfer catch a (small) wave!  The model consists of three parts, the board itself, a fin or skeg for stability, and the surfer.  No supports are needed for printing and the parts clip together without glue.

I printed the model in three colours of PLA.  To improve stability I used a low infill for the board, but gave it 8 top layers (it prints upside-down).  I used 100% infill for the fin to give it more weight, for added stability.

After the first sea trials, it was obvious that something was missing.  The surfer could easily be knocked of its board by a “big” wave.  I added a cotton leash to stop the surfer getting lost - and anyway - it looks more authentic too!

I only printed the basic surfer (figure 1), but added two others - mainly to create the look of hair streaming back as the surfer flies down a wave ;-)

The fin may be a little stiff when you press it into the slot on the top of the board.  If it really won't fit, gently file the corners where it snaps in.  It is good that it is a tight fit so it doesn't get lost.