Gardone Riviera Hosts Lakebed Cleanup and Underwater Photo Contest

Underwater cleanup and an accompanying photography contest organized by Deep Explorers Onlus took place on Saturday, May 16, drawing 14 entrants to the competition and about 40 divers, with an increasing presence of Tritone Sub apnea divers. The safety briefing was led by organizer Angelo Modina and featured Vittorio Gabriotti, Astore Santoro and Gianfranco Bonazzoli, who stressed the protection of the aquatic environment and paid tribute to the recent tragedy in the Maldives.

After entering the water, photographers began filming while groups collected debris from the seabed using bags and nets, totaling about three cubic meters. The heaviest recovered item was an outboard motor, awarded by deputy mayor Vittorio Goi to the Benaco Guardians group led by Marylou. The Sommozzatori Bresciani Leonessa earned the prize for the most curious object, a sealed glass bottle bearing the photo of an elderly Indian woman. In the evening, during a lakeside awards ceremony with Mayor Chiara Chimini, DNA Mantova, led by Giancarlo Bonazzoli, won overall honors, with Marco Carè first, Filippo Bonazzoli second, Raffaella Sacchi (apnea, Tritone Desenzano) third, and a special prize to Giovanni Venosta for a photo of a bavosa. The event was supported by the municipal administration, Roda Spa and Marina di Bogliaco, with assistance from several organizers and councilors.
Italian Version