Under the Surface
The Vital Role of Underwater Performer Coaches in Film and TV
When it comes to filming in water, what the audience doesn’t see is just as important as what they do see. Beneath every powerful performance or underwater action sequence lies a complex choreography of training, planning, and safety—guided by professionals in a growing specialty known as underwater performer coach.
This emerging field is quickly becoming essential in productions across North America, with Vancouver-based experts like Roberta Cenedese and Braden Haggerty leading the charge. Both have decades of experience working in aquatic environments and advocating for performers and crew working in or around water.
What is an Underwater Performer Coach?
Underwater performer coach is a dedicated on-set role focused solely on the physical and psychological safety of hose performing in or around water. Water safety experts ensure that the environment, communication, gear, and health considerations are properly managed before anyone gets wet.
Underwater performer coaches are UBCP/ACTRA members who work under the supervision of the stunt coordinator, but they aren’t just lifeguards—they’re coaches, safety advocates, and often liaisons between departments. “Even for small water gags, we carve out time to rehearse,” says Cenedese. “That time is integral for safety.”
The essentials of performer prep
Two of the most important things performers should know before doing water work is who their safety person is and what support they can count on. “You’re never in the water alone,” says Haggerty. “We’re your advocates before, during, and after you’re in the water.”
From pre-production training to on-set checkins, preparation is crucial. Many productions hold specific water rehearsals for performers—especially those not already trained in scuba or free diving. Rehearsals allow underwater performer coaches to assess comfort levels, reinforce safety protocols, and train performers in breath-hold techniques.
“You can scar people for life if they’re not comfortable doing the work,” warns Cenedese. “We’ve seen actors traumatized because they didn’t feel safe.” This is why experts like Cenedese are in the water with the performers—they can often not only be the first to spot if something is wrong, but can also intervene if needed.
Hazards, gear, and communication
Water scenes present unique hazards—from wardrobe malfunctions to environmental extremes. One of the most overlooked? Ill-fitting wetsuits.
Properly fitted wetsuits are non-negotiable,” says Cenedese. “Baggy wetsuits trap water and chill the body fast. A good wetsuit provides both thermal protection and buoyancy.
Other must-haves include:
- Neoprene gloves and socks
- Towels, hot water bottles, and warm coats for between takes
- Electrolyte drinks or broth
- Weighted belts for buoyancy control
- Nose plugs and earplugs (especially in cold water)
Costumes and props should also be tested in water before any stunt is performed to ensure they are safe to use. “What works dry
might not work submerged,” says Haggerty, adding that departments such as wardrobe, camera, and lighting should collaborate during pre-production to avoid surprises and troubleshoot everything from thermal exposure to visual clarity. “You don’t want to learn mid-scene that a wig floats,” she says.
But of all the tools in an underwater performer coach’s kit, communication is the most important.
“With underwater scenes, communication must be clear, calm, and concise,” says Cenedese, adding that repeating instructions, speaking deliberately, and using a coaching tone can help reduce the stress levels of performers in the water. She also strongly advocates for the stunt coordinator to lead all underwater communications. “Stunt coordinators rehearse this. They know the flow. Directors can sometimes get distracted with the larger picture and forget performers are holding their breath!”
Recognizing fatigue and distress
Water work is physically and mentally draining. Even highly trained performers can quickly become fatigued. That’s why breath-hold work requires structured rest.
A standard rule in free diving is that rest should be double the duration of the last breath hold. “If you were under for 45 seconds, you need 1:30 of relaxed breathing before going again,” says Cenedese. “We build that recovery time into our shooting plans.”
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- Roberta Cenedese with minor performers Remy Marthaller, Hannah Bos, and Nyha Huang Breitkreuz on 'Seagrass'. Photo by Jennifer Clarke.
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- Roberta Cenedese and Braden Haggerty doing water performer safety on 'Casket Girls'. Photo by Rorelee Tio.
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- Roberta Cenedese with Lisa Chandler. Photo by Alex Soldatov.
Key signs of distress include:
- Wide, anxious eyes
- Poor communication
- Slower breath-hold times
- Shivering or stiff movement
Extended water work also comes with specific health considerations. Underwater performer coaches are trained to spot and mitigate risks such as:
- Hypothermia (even in warm water, over time)
- Heat exhaustion
- Dehydration (staying hydrated while working in water is integral, especially in warm tanks; in cold water the liquid should be warm
- Sinus blocks or “reverse blocks” from medication
- Vertigo or trouble equalizing pressure
- Fatigue or cardiac stress
All performers should be honest about colds, medications, or health concerns,” says Cenedese. “If you’re coughing, you shouldn’t be in the water.
Tank work also presents risks such as dry skin, eye irritation, or ear infections from chlorine. Saline rinses, warm showers, and protective gear are key tools for mitigating these impacts.
Trust, advocacy, and empowerment
A major shift in the industry is the evolving collaboration between safety professionals and performers. “When a performer feels confident and safe, you get better takes,” says Haggerty.
Trust between safety professionals and performers is foundational. That means listening to gut instincts, having authority to call “cut” when necessary, and making space for performers to rest when needed—even if they don’t ask.
What Roberta Cenedese and Braden Haggerty both want producers and directors to understand is that performer water safety isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential.
From prep and rehearsal to communication and post-shoot recovery, the value of a trained underwater performer coach can’t be overstated. It’s not just about preventing accidents—it’s about making great performances possible. “We’re there to make the impossible feel doable,” says Haggerty.
