I want to make a 3D Wakeboarding game like SSX Tricky how do I make the sprites?

Hi,

I have been using Unity for a few years to make some basic 2D games. I really want to make a 3D Wakeboarding game that will look like SSX Tricky, or 1080 Snowboarding, or Amped, or any snowboard game you can think of.

I want the characters to be able to move and look like this:

I am wondering how I should start creating the 3D characters. Does anyone have any experience or advice on this? Should I use Cinema 4D? Do I draw the figures first or are there some preexisting assets I can use that anyone might know of?

Any input or advice is greatly appreciated.