David Cleans Underwater
Environment is the professional field of David Ksiazyk who specializes in recycling. This job inspires one of his many hobbies: magnet fishing. With this uncommon but useful activty, David contributes to the depollution of rivers.
Removing debris might not be a glamour sport but bits and pieces can give much satisfaction. Over the last three years, David's good catches include several knives, mysterious keys, a WWI shell and a WWII handgun. An article of local newspaper Le Progrès highlights his talent.
Magnet fishing is a useful activity that requires a minimum equipment: a 75 mm magnet, a long rope, and a pair of gloves. A quality magnet is made in neodymium, a powerful and resistant alloy produced from iron, boron and nickel. A 700g magnet (1,54 lb) can lift 200 kg (440 lbs).
The rope should be resistant with a minimum 10m (3,9 inches) long but 20m (7,8 inches) is considered a standard. The calibre ranges from 1 to 5 cm. Climbing ropes are frequently used.
However, the lifting process depends on many factors such as your own strength, the angle of the line, the centre of gravity, the positioning of the debris and the adhesion of the catch. Fishing in muddy riverbed is more difficult than in a pebbly ground. Magnets attract only ferrous metallic objects, some alloys as well as cobalt and nickel. No gold. No silver. David will not make a fortune.
Born in 1981, David lives in Montceau-les-Mines, in the beautiful Bourgogne-Franche Comté Region. He is a veteran of the Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. He is preparing another journey to this major Catholic sanctuary. David will walk some 1,600 km alone with his precious pilgrim stick.