Rigid Surfing Prosthesis

About this project

This project is a prosthesis created for Itamar Meyuhas, a 35-year-old surfer from Kedumim, Israel, who lost his right hand below the elbow and has partial function in his left hand. The device provides two key functions: balanced paddling with both arms and a secure push-off point to perform the pop-up movement when catching a wave. While designed specifically for Itamar, the solution could serve other surfers with upper limb differences who want to maintain independence and improve performance in the water.

The challenge

Itamar surfs waves and the challenge he presented to us is the difficulty of paddling into the wave and the need for a pop-up solution (standing on the surfboard). Now Itamar paddles with one hand and his stand on the surfboard is very slow and challengin

Who it helps

Today he works as a DJ at events and weddings, deals a lot with computers and creates and develops inventions by himself in order to improve his quality of life.

How it works

This prosthesis was designed for Itamar Meyuhas, a 35-year-old from Kedumim, Israel, whose right hand was amputated below the elbow and who is also missing a finger on his left hand. He works as a DJ at events and weddings, spends a lot of time with computers, and enjoys surfing. While created for Itamar, this solution could be used by other surfers with upper limb differences who want a way to paddle efficiently and safely perform the pop-up movement.

Surfing requires powerful and balanced paddling as well as the ability to quickly transition from lying to standing on the board. With one full arm and partial use of the other hand, Itamar faces difficulty generating enough propulsion when paddling into a wave, and the pop-up into a standing position is especially slow and challenging. Without support, this limits his ability to catch waves consistently and independently. The prosthesis addresses both challenges by giving him a way to paddle with both arms and a stable anchor point to push off during the pop-up.

The prosthesis is designed to provide both paddling efficiency and pop-up support. It fits securely on Itamar’s residual limb and extends forward to function as an adaptive fin-like extension. While lying on the surfboard, the device allows him to row with both sides of his body in a balanced way. When transitioning to standing, the prosthesis is strong and stable enough to bear weight, giving him a solid point of leverage to push off from. This dual functionality makes it possible to both catch waves more effectively and stand more fluidly.

A surfing prosthesis that enables limb-different surfers to paddle evenly and perform a faster, more stable pop-up. By combining propulsion support and a weight-bearing design, the device expands access to surfing for individuals with upper limb amputations or limited arm function.

Tools needed

Protective glasses

PC or MAC I7 +

Measurement tool

Digital caliber

Needle-nose pliers

sewing machine

scissors

set of needles

FDM Printer

Project details

Stage: Prototype
Built by the Shenkar College community, Ramat Gan, Israel
Team: Itamar Meyuhas, 35 years old lives in Kedumim, Israel. Itamar was injured as a result of finding an explosive device in the field that he took home. a year later after playing with it the device exploded . As a result of the explosion, Itamar lost his right eye, his right hand was amputated below the elbow and the finger on his left hand was also amputated.
Category: Sports, Outdoor, Hobbies, Fun/Leisure
30 downloads

The build files for Rigid Surfing Prosthesis are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

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