This is a travel blog. But it’s also a blog about Italy. And it’s also a blog about diving.
While scrolling through Facebook, I stumbled upon some photos that perfectly blend both Italy and diving. But this isn’t about dives into crystal-clear waters among groupers and amberjacks.
Today, I’m dedicating some space to unsung heroes. Get ready to applaud the Volunteer Diver Gondoliers of Venice, true champions of the lagoon environment.
Venice and Its Canals: A Watery Carpet or a Sunken Landfill?
Venice, the postcard-perfect city, is a floating jewel that enchants millions of tourists every year. What could be more quintessentially Italian than Venice in the imagination of billions? But beneath the surface of its canals lies a darker reality. While we lose ourselves in the romance of its gondolas, the canal beds hide the remnants of years of neglect: plastic bottles, tires, shopping carts, toilets, washing machines… not to mention mud, rats, bacteria, and Vibrio species.
And this is where our heroes step in: the Volunteer Diver Gondoliers. These fearless champions dive without hesitation into waters that, let’s be honest, make a cappuccino look less murky. They do it out of love for their city, to restore some of the original dignity of Venice’s canals and share it once again with the world.
Why Diving in Venice’s Canals Is Not for Amateur Divers
Forget those picture-perfect underwater landscapes from glossy magazines. Diving in the canals of Venice means tackling challenges that could make even the most seasoned divers shudder.
Near-Zero Visibility
When we say the water in Venice’s canals is “murky,” we’re not exaggerating. It’s a world where “seeing” is more of a hope than a reality. Divers rely more on touch than sight, trying to tell a rusted pipe apart from a submerged TV antenna.
An… Unmistakable Aroma
Venice’s ground-level smells are part of the city’s charm. But diving in the canals means facing amplified, intensified aromas—a true test for noses and stomachs alike.
Improbable and Dangerous Objects
Every dive brings surprises. The objects found at the bottom range from deck chairs to shopping carts, motorbikes, and even toilets. One of the most remarkable discoveries? A submerged boat engine, like a forgotten relic of a bygone era.
Who Are the Diver Gondoliers?
Founded in 2019, the Volunteer Diver Gondoliers are a group of true Venetians who, between one gondola stroke and another, decided to don wetsuits and take concrete action for their city. The group’s founder, Stefano Vio, had an epiphany during a dive in the Red Sea when he spotted intact rubber boots in a World War II wreck. “If this waste can last for decades, what’s happening beneath our own home?” he wondered. And so, the idea of turning gondoliers into divers was born.
Today, the group boasts numerous members, including skilled divers and technical staff. Every dive is a complex operation requiring planning, teamwork, and a great sense of humor.
Cleanup Operations: A Team Effort
The dives take place in various parts of Venice, often in the busiest and most difficult-to-access canals. Each operation turns into a true treasure hunt, although the “treasure” more closely resembles a heap of garbage.
For instance, during a dive in the Rio della Misericordia, the divers recovered over 800 kilograms of waste, including bottles, bicycles, and, of course, the classic tire. Each dive ends with a “parade” of the recovered debris, displayed on the dock as a warning to anyone who might think of treating the canals as a dumping ground.
The Humorous Side of the Mission
Despite the challenges, the Diver Gondoliers tackle each dive with a positive attitude and a hearty dose of humor. “When you find a toilet underwater, you can’t help but wonder how it got there. Did it fall off during a move? Or did someone decide it was the perfect decor for a fish?” jokes one of the volunteers.
Why We Should Thank Them
Jokes aside, the dedication of these volunteer divers is extraordinary. Each dive is not only an act of love for Venice but also a gesture of environmental responsibility that should inspire us all.
Every bottle retrieved, every tire removed, is a step toward a healthier lagoon ecosystem. Without them, Venice’s canals risk becoming an underwater landfill, with devastating consequences for marine life and the city’s timeless beauty.
How Can We Support Them?
If you want to support the Diver Gondoliers, there are several ways to get involved:
Donations: Even a small contribution can help cover the costs of equipment and logistics.
Volunteering: If you’re a certified diver and want to challenge yourself, you can offer your time and skills as a volunteer.
Spreading the Word: Talk about them, share their achievements on social media, and raise awareness among those around you about the importance of environmental preservation.
A Cleaner Future for Venice
Thanks to the Volunteer Diver Gondoliers, the future of Venice’s canals is looking a little brighter—or at least a little less cluttered with submerged appliances. Their work is not just an act of love for their city but a powerful example of how each of us can make a difference.
So, next time you find yourself in Venice, gliding along its romantic canals, remember to think about what lies beneath the surface. Not just to imagine the underwater world, but to appreciate the unsung heroes who quietly make this city a better place.
And if you ever feel inspired to follow their example, remember: the world doesn’t just need divers exploring underwater wonders. It also needs divers clearing away the forgotten remnants that obscure them.
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