FAQ
How soft are the blimp whales?
The Gen 1.0 blue blimpies are much harder, between the softness of an Intex Lil Whale and the hardness of an Igarashi Large Whale. They will tend to turn hard in cold weather
Taking feedback from past customers, I have made the gen 2.0 black, pink and clears softer, between the softness of an IW whale and an Intex Lil Whale. Again, they will harden in cold weather, but not as hard as the Gen 1.0.
Will there ever be safety handles for future blimp whales?
Unfortunately for handle lovers (30% in the last survey), this is the prime feature of the blimpies: no handles. She was designed more for hugging, not much so for water play, though many have rode her in the pool with some good balancing (and hey, that also makes for some good core workout).
How long will shipping take?
Shipping will be either by DHL or Redly Express (a new service). From the date I place your parcel into DHL’s van, it will take about 5-6 days to reach the US, and 10-14 days to reach European countries. Distant countries like Russia and Brazil may take 21-28 days to arrive.
DHL is safe and fast, and offers insurance at RM57.50 (after paypal fee) only. I have been using it since 2021, with only one incident: in mid 2021, a German customs officer simply sliced the bottom of a parcel open for inspection, cutting one blimp whale through and through. With photo evidence, DHL refunded customers fully for the damage. Now all my parcels come with warning labels not to use knives to open.
Redly Express is a relatively new service in Malaysia, I have not used it since my national courier dropped EMS from service. Still waiting for other people to use it and provide feedback. It’s way cheaper than DHL, but does not offer insurance, and has not been thoroughly tested by others.
Can you make custom inflatables?
No. I am just a one-man show doing this as a side project to my day job. I am not a China manufacturer, I do not own factory and I do not have the capability to make any inflatables.
Do you sell inflatable whale suits (ie. double whale)?
I only sell the basic, vanilla inflatable blimp whales. A few people have converted my blimp whales into inflatable whale suits, since my blimpies are 2m in length, thus making a comfy fit for many. Notable experts in this field of excellent and safe inflatable suits are @CandyCoatedPVC (US) and @emb1333 (China), both on Twitter (X). Do stay safe and learn the proper techniques of being in a suit from these experts.
What are your future projects?
Still in the distant….. future. Need to earn back my initial capital paid for the Gen 2.0s, and also free up storage space. Considering a few ideas:
- Gen 3.0 blimp whales: same size, slightly softer PVC, no safety handles. Will do 3 colors at that time. Either clear purple, clear navy blue, clear dark grey (like the Igarashi whale), clear aquamarine or mirror silver (which would be crazy).
- Old 48″ Intex rainbow stripes, mardi-gras, and perhaps that beachball that got shot in the gangster film (but blown up to 48″). If there’s demand, then a 60″ version of those (like the Bestway jumbo US print beachball).
No need to pay USD100 for this beach ball then.
Those beautiful flying foil balloon whales at the 2024 NYE Phish concert? Now you can take one home as an inflatable.
Mardi Gras beach ball: three clear panels, or all six solids?
The Japanese Igarashi clear black whale. Becomes light gray in sunlight, and sleek black in shady areas. They are surprisingly hard and tough, as per Igarashi high standards, perhaps to withstand pressure in the summer heat, but will turn brittle if you blow her up tight in winter.