By Margaret Maccoll
Dynamic diving duo and father and son team Daren and Elliot Styles have become local legends for spending their spare time cleaning up the Noosa River and returning lost items to their owners.
Their efforts began a few years ago when they came across an outboard motor while enjoying their favourite pastime of snorkelling to view the rich marine life in the river.
“We enjoyed dragging it out and cleaning the river up and it grew from there,“ Daren said. “We started going a lot more and cleaning up the river.“
Elliot said while the river looks beautiful on top underneath is teeming with a mix of discarded goods, rubbish, lost items and the occasional treasure.
The pair’s exploits have become popular viewing for their Facebook followers who love it that they pick up the rubbish in the river and are also keen to see what treasures they have discovered.
“Rubbish is important to get out. The treasure is the thing the community get into,“ Elliot said.
In a recent haul the snorkelers discovered a couple of drones, one worth about $2500 new, but worthless after its river dip.
“We find phones, GoPros, rings, watches, wallets and heaps of fishing gear,“ Elliot said. “We find lots of bottles. We pull out as many as we can.“ They have also collected heaps of fishing rods, anchors and sunglasses. Each time they dive under the water the shifting sands reveal items they haven’t seen before.
“We scratch around the rocks and pylons where the sea life is and that’s where the fishermen target,“ Daren said. “You see bait bags, hook and line. About a year ago we did a clean up under the Sofitel. We found trolleys and a Garth Prowd sign that we helped make its way back to the family.“
After that people began asking them to look for items they had lost. Through some crowdfunding they purchased an underwater metal detector which has helped them recover items including a wedding ring accidentally dropped into the water.
Elliot and Daren recycle what they can, particularly the glass bottles and plastic containers and Elliot has recycled lures and given them away to fishermen.
The duo hope by sharing their finds on Facebook they are increasing awareness of the litter in the river and encouraging others to also pick some up.
“Noosa has a great community spirit. Everyone does their bit. We’re doing our bit,“ Daren said.
Daren made the switch from surfing to snorkelling a few years back and makes sure he is in the river a few times a week.
He will be snorkelling solo in the near future with Elliot in Tasmania to continue his studies in marine antarctic science but Elliot insists he will be heading back to Noosa every chance he can.
Follow them on Facebook @riverstyless
