But in Jelgava they went one step further with a team of more than 20 divers cleaning up the River Driksa.
Barrels, scrap metal, bottles, old wheels and much more were found during the underwater cleanup. In six hours, divers pulled out various objects that had been stored in the river bed, sometimes for several decades.
Three enthusiasts from Jelgava, for whom scuba diving is a hobby, came up with the idea of joining forces with other experts in order not only to explore the underwater world, but also to clean it up and get rid of various waste.
Underwater cleanup coordinator Šota Plijevs from Jelgava admitted that conditions were challenging. Visibility did not exceed 5-10 centimeters in a very strong current.
"Very dark, cloudy water. At that end, there are all kinds of old barrels, all kinds of scrap metal, a lot of tires, bottles, all kinds of disgusting, sharp, dangerous objects," said Kristaps Ansons, a member of the underwater cleanup.
Aivars, a resident of Jelgava, was happy about the work of the divers as he watched: "It's very nice that people are cleaning the river. They took care of nature, as they say."
The great public interest justified the organizers' goal not only to remind people to take care of the environment, but also to show diving as an exciting pastime.
