I had a jol. I wanted to be a marine biologist, so I took biological sciences I & II, geology & chemistry at UND.
I then applied to Sea Fisheries, Irvin & Johnson & the Oceanographic Research Institute
They informed me they would love to have me, & that I would earn R120 p/m (with my honours degree) rising to R180 p/m after 5 years (if I got my Masters). As I was getting up to R100 p/day as a freelance commercial diver, & because what they were teaching me was not what I wanted to learn, I switched to Law. I discovered I did not want to work in an office.I did not want to wear a tie. Or a jacket. Or shoes.
So I discontinued my formal studies & turned commercial in 1968.
I did however enjoy 3 years with the University of Natal Underwater Club, being awarded a Half Blue for Spearfishing & being selected for the S.A. Universities Underwater Hockey Team to compete against the State President's Team at the 1969 SA Games.
I represented Natal at both Spearfishing & Underwater Hockey from 1968 - 1978, & was a provincial selector for both sports. Highlights were winning the SA Spearfishing Champs for the first time outside our home waters, (Kariba Dam 1976), & winning the SA U/W Hockey Champs for the first time ever. (also 1976).
My first commercial contract was a varsity holiday job at Kariba Dam. I was supposed to be a temporary diver until a permanent arrived. I was supposed to be there for a week, but I stayed for 3 months. This meant I missed the start of the new academic year. This was when my dad discovered I had dropped out. he was not amused. but I had made R1100 p/m while I was away, so he accepted I would not graduate.
,I also became a harbour rat, repairing moorings at the yacht clubs, sealing leaks in fishing boats & ships, changing props, welding on anodes, burning off torn bilge keels, & cleaning ships underwater by driving a hydraulic brush machine along the hull.
I was very lucky with my timing, as there was a lot of work on the Durban Sewage pipelines, deep work which paid very well.

Basically, I've spent my life as an underwater labourer.

Mr Teddar taught maths.He was a very tall, slim, dignified gentleman whose hair turned white virtually overnight when he was in his twenties.He knew his subject well & could explain things pretty understandably.He was a good teacher, but he had two ..He was deaf, which opened him up to abuse; & he used string as a training aid, which opened him up to ridicule.
Boys are bad.We heard that some classes would silently mouth 'good morning,sir' to him. when he adjusted the volume of his hearing aid they would scream GOOD MORNING, SIR, & shatter his eardrums.
We, as 4A, were not that bad.But he did have to put up with a continuous vocalising of "string" at random times throughout his lessons.Yes, you, Lynton.
4A was in the boarder's quad at the back of the school.Teddar strode into class & Peter Rorvick happened to be in the classroom.Whether this was spontaneous or planned I have no idea, but Peter joined the class & sat down.When Teddar questioned his presence,Peter claimed to be a new boy, sir. from Rhodesia ,sir.First day, sir.They told me to come here.sir.Teddar was openly suspicious.Peter asked confused & cryptic questions, & was right in the eyes.At the end of the lesson Teddar strode out, obviously to investigate the matter.Through the open door I could see him approach Mr Piper who was 1 classroom away & walking fast towards our class.He didn't speak to Piper, just turned & accompanied him towards us.I jumped up, left the classroom & closed the door.I was left facing them, holding the door closed,just staring blankly at them for about 5 seconds before I opened it & walked in before them.Peter was gone.He had dived head first out of the window .Teddar was lost.He knew it was impossible. so he just walked away. We heard that for some time he would grab some poor student at random & accuse him of being 'the one'.I wish I could remember the name Peter used.
Mr Teddar went to Kearsney, where I have no doubt boys were just as thoughtless.He shot himself in the school toilets.
This is the way I remember it.I would love to hear other versions.

Robin Standing

y.

Even a fool is entitled to his opinion.- My mother
Blessed is the man who expecteth nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.- My Mother.