A body covered in ink: Wellington swim coach talks about the prints of a wild youth.

Francis is one extreme example of how judging someone based on their exterior can be well out of sync with reality. The death metal bandmember is also a dedicated husband, father of two and one of the warmest swim coaches in Wellington, if you believe what Pirates Swimming Club kids say about him.

This week Stuff was invited along to watch the swim coach of 20 years at the Karori swimming pool, where Francis coaches pre-schoolers through to adults. The 48-year-old is energised. He greets with a giant wave from the other end of the pool and rushes down to meet with a handshake and a thanks for coming along. His class of 15 teenagers arrive shortly after and, after a long day at school, they are excited to see their coach, even knowing there is a gruelling two hour-long session lined up for them…

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Swim coach Steve Francis at Karori Pool, with students Emily Sloan, 7, left, and Scarlett Francis, 9.

Swim coach Steve Francis at Karori Pool, Wellington, with Emily Sloan, 7.

Thank you to all the families that attended the AGM/Prize Giving at One Fat Bird Sunday afternoon. The turnout was great on a wonderful Wellington afternoon, thanks to all for your support.

Congratulations to those that received awards and certificates.

Our very own coach Anna was the 93rd person to successfully swim the Cook Strait, at age 17 when she herself was a Pirate. She completed her swim, cold, weary, but relieved, in seven hours, 43 minutes

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