The number of drownings across Australia since the start of summer has surged past 2022 figures and is greater than the average deaths for the past five years.
As of Friday, 31 people had drowned across Australia since December 1, compared to 25 people for the same period in 2022.
Most of the deaths occurred while people were swimming, boating, or recreating at beaches and more than two-thirds were men.
Several deaths were the result of storms and flooding in Queensland while people also drowned at beaches across NSW, in some cases while attempting to rescue others.
NSW and Queensland recorded the greatest number of drownings, with 11 and 12 respectively, with five deaths in Victoria and three in Western Australia.
The body of a kayaker was recovered off a beach at Victoria's Mornington Peninsula late on Thursday.
A two-year-old girl died on Wednesday after being pulled unconscious from a backyard pool in northern NSW.
The period between Christmas and New Year’s Day is often the deadliest for drownings as Australians flock to waterways.
Two men died in separate incidents on NSW Central Coast beaches on Christmas Day, while a man in his 30s drowned after falling from a paddleboard at Sydney's newly opened Penrith Beach on Boxing Day.
Royal Life Saving Society Australia chief executive Justin Scarr said there had been a decline in swimming and lifesaving lessons among school-aged children.
"Traditionally we teach swimming and lifesaving, which involves a range of survival strokes and basic rescues, throughout secondary schools," he said.
"But much of that stopped as a consequence of the pandemic, so we do need to find ways to build those skills across the Australian population."
There were 90 fatal summer drownings in 2022, 39 of which were people aged 35 to 64 years old.
More than 50 per cent of deaths occurred on the coast, while 37 per cent were in inland waterways.
Mr Scarr said alcohol was often a factor in drownings and urged men in particular to take care.
"Men need to remember that alcohol can affect choices and skills around the water - too often with tragic consequences," he said.
"Alcohol was present in more than a quarter of drowning deaths last summer so we're urging people to make the right call and leave the beers until after swimming, boating or fishing."
