303 Magazine loves when new products roll out. We like to test them out and tell you, our readers, about what we think. But instead of us just testing out one of our new favorite products, you might have also seen it at 303‘s Pool Party back in June at The Breakers Resort.
It’s called the Floozie and it was thought up back in 2013, when the owners of Winger Floats were sitting in a pool and needed somewhere to put their drink. Since Colorado has endless amounts of swimming pools, lakes, rivers and so on, we think it’s the perfect accessory for summer – at least when you’re in need for a place to put your drink while you’re in the water.
Here’s how the Floozie, by Winger Floats, came to be.
Tell us about Winger Floats. When was this company first thought up?
Matt Weist: In 2013, I was traveling to Dallas, Texas often for a project through work (I work as a financial services consultant and traveling is a key aspect of the job). My uncle (aka my business partner in this venture) and his family live in Dallas, which made the time away from home not so bad. One night, I went to visit the family and my uncle and I were sitting in his pool with a beverage on pool noodles to keep us afloat. We were both floating while trying to figure out what to do with our beverages, so we could go hands-free, which included an awful attempt to balance the beverage on top of the noodle. Needless to say, that did not work! Almost simultaneously, we looked at each other and said, “There has to be an easier way, or something that could keep our beverage afloat.” We did some research and couldn’t find any suitable products and so The Floozie was conceived. Winger Floats was formed later that week, but the name of the product wasn’t determined until several months later. Winger Floats is a combination of my uncle’s and my last name. My uncle’s last name is Allmendinger and my last name is Weist.
Your first product is the Floozie. Tell us about its purpose.
After thinking about how we could make relaxing and enjoying a beverage simpler, we began thinking and drawing out plans. We wanted a floating beverage holder, that could keep the beverage cold, while maintaining a level of stability and allowing the consumer to float with their beer, presenting an enjoyable hands-free water experience. Thus we developed a floating koozie and later dubbed it The Floozie.
Why do you think this product is a necessity for water activities?
At Winger Floats, we feel that people want to enjoy beverages while participating in water activities. Whether relaxing in the pool, floating down your local lazy river or hitting up party cove at the lake, people more often than not have a beverage in hand. We wanted to develop a product that would allow for consumers to be able to keep the beverage cold while floating, playing or just relaxing. More yet, we have added a leash to attach The Floozie to the consumer, allowing for a completely hands-free experience.
Did you design this with Colorado in mind?
Bluntly, no. However, both my uncle and I were born in Colorado. Jerry [my uncle] was born in Denver and lived here for the first 40 years of his life. I was born in Denver, grew up in Evergreen and bleed Colorado. I have even gone so far as to get a half sleeve tattoo representing my love for the great state of Colorado and city of Denver! Through years of traveling for work, I have been to several of the largest cities across this country, and they always help me recognize how wonderful our state is. It’s no wonder so many people want to and are moving to Colorado.
What kind of attention/feedback has the Floozie received so far?
As we grow and attend more shows and events, we have received all sorts of attention. The name alone draws attention and laughter wherever we go. Taking a step further, the product has received a lot of attention and kudos regarding how great it performs in regards to what it was designed for, floating and relaxing in the local water source and enjoying a beverage with ease. Consumers always have questions about the stability of the product, and we like to demonstrate the stability with a pool or other portable water source, should we not be on the water at the given event. People go from skeptical to believing that The Floozie truly is a great floating beverage holder. The best comments we get are in regards to how ingenious, and yet simple, of a product The Floozie is.
Do you personally use the Floozie every time you’re in a pool or lake?
The only reason that The Floozie would not be with me at a pool, lake or floating down the Platte, is if I forgot it (happens, but not often). We take Flooozies with us everywhere, from camping trips to lake parties on Party Cove over the 4th of July, in Texas. If we aren’t using The Floozie, it’s because we don’t have a beverage in our hand.
Why is this the perfect summer accessory?
The Floozie makes a great summer accessory due to its unique design, as well as its ability to keep a beverage cold while floating next to the consumer. In tests performed in Texas, The Floozie will keep a beverage 20% for 30 minutes than not having something to insulate it. And based on several customers’ feedback, their drinks are gone well before that 30 minute mark, making those mountains bluer (and that beer colder) for much longer.
Does Winger Floats have any other products coming out?
We are currently in the testing and development phase of a floating beer pong triangle that will become an accessory for The Floozie, dubbed Floozie-Pong. The product will sit atop a Floozie with the middle hole being placed on top of the Floozie and the consumer utilizes this placement to settle the cup within that hole. The placement of the middle cup in the triangle will hold the entire device in place, while the consumer plays beer (or water) pong in the water source of choice. The remaining cups will go in other 9 holes in a perfect beer pong triangle.
Anything else you’d like to add?
The Floozie makes a great gift for people that may not be able to use it here, in Colorado. And those water enthusiasts that hit up tubing down our local rivers, go to their community pools or even want to enjoy in their hot tub, this product is great for keeping your beverage cold and close while allowing the consumer to relax. Avoiding having to swim back to the edge of a pool/hot tub or trying to maintain your beverage while floating down the river, The Floozie provides a great option to house your beverage in all situations.