Friends have paid tribute to Vincent Huang, affectionately known as the "Sydney Balloon Man", after he died in a free diving accident off Tasmania's King Island earlier this month.
Remembered by friends as a "sincere, good friend" who brought joy and smiles to countless people, the 43-year-old was a viral street performer, renowned for dancing on the streets of Sydney's CBD in a giant blue balloon.
A friend of Huang confirmed the news to 9news.com.au, and shared their tributes for Vincent.
Those walking through the streets of Sydney's CBD in recent years would have seen Huang performing.
Set up on a yoga mat, Huang would fit his entire body into a stretchy blue balloon, before bobbing and jumping to energetic music - often Axel F's "Crazy Frog".
Spectators would look on in a mixture of joy and bewilderment.
Huang, originally hailing from Taiwan, is believed to have performed in Sydney from as early as 2019.
He was also known to be an experienced free diver.
Huang was on a diving trip to King Island when he drowned.
On January 7, emergency services were called to Johnson Rock, a diving spot on the western side of King Island just before 11.30am.
They were responding to reports Huang had encountered difficulties in the water.
Huang was retrieved from the water, while other members of the diving trip attempted to revive him.
Huang sadly died at the scene.
The cause of Huang's death is not yet known, and a report is being prepared for the Tasmanian Coroner.
Huang's relatives travelled to Hobart from Taiwan to collect his ashes, before returning home.
"To most people, he is known as the street performer Balloon Man in Melbourne and Sydney," his friend said, asking to remain anonymous.
"To us, he is an experienced fishing and hunting enthusiast, free diver and ski enthusiast.
"His cheerfulness and generosity were infectious to many, many people."
