Annie Gardner, left, leads a Nanny Cay Swim Club member across the pool. Photo: KATIE KING

Annie Gardner has been teaching others to swim for decades, but according to the 77-year-old, it never gets old.

 

Annie Gardner, left, leads a Nanny Cay Swim Club member across the pool. Photo: KATIE KING
“It’s my life; teaching swimming is my life,” she explained, sitting underneath a blue umbrella by the turquoise pool at Nanny Cay. “It’s a great satisfaction to teach people to love the water and [how] to be safe.”

Once a week, the lifelong swim instructor, who was recently named a Member of the British Empire, leads the Nanny Cay Swim Club, a swimming programme offered by BVI Services for residents with physical or mental handicaps.

The goal, said Ms. Gardner, is to help the participants get some exercise, increase their muscle tone, and develop a sense of camaraderie with their fellow swimmers.

“You want the end result to be that they love the water,” she said.

On Tuesday morning, Ms. Gardner was assisted by a handful of teen volunteers from VISIONS, an international community service programme.

“You’ll absolutely love it,” she assured them.

See the July 16, 2015 edition for full coverage.

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