A highly-respected Ballarat swim instructor Karina Palmer predicts trouble due to a lack of swimming skills and the water proving so attractive in the hot days ahead.

"It could be a disastrous season," Ms Palmer said.

"It's not going to be a good season."

There has been a noticeable lack of development in many young people's aquatic capacity due to lockdowns and restrictions, according to Ms Palmer

"I did notice a drastic change in the kids' swimming," Ms Palmer said, reflecting on children returning to lessons after having been away for so long.

"For example, in the mornings, I was doing pre-schoolers.

"(There was) a four year-old child who was very confident and they were learning backstroke and freestyle.

"They got in the pool.

"(They had trouble) even remembering how to float.

"Previously, they'd had continuous lessons weekly and they'd be all over it."

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Ms Palmer's warning comes after a recently-released report by Life Saving Victoria showing people who live in regional Victoria are almost twice as likely to drown than those who live in metropolitan areas.

In the last ten years, there have been nine drowning deaths in Ballarat; 10 Ballarat residents have drowned in Victoria; and 20 Ballarat residents have been hospitalised due to non-fatal drowning.

There is a 67 per cent likelihood of one or more Ballarat residents drowning in any given year.

Life Saving Victoria CEO Cath Greaves is distressed with the current situation across the state.

"Tragically, this year's report details Victoria's worst fatal drowning toll in more than 20 years," Ms Greaves said.

"(It is) the worst drowing toll since Life Saving Victoria was established in 2002 with 61 lives cut short in Victorian waters. This represents a 40 per cent increase in the fatal drowning rate when compared to the 10-year average and an unacceptable spike in an otherwise downward turning trend.

"In 2020 - 21, drowning deaths in coastal areas rose by more than a quarter and in inland waterways increased by 56 per cent compared to the 10-year average.

"It is concerning that 38 per cent of this year's drowning deaths occurred when walking, recreating, or playing near water, more than double the decade's average, highlighting just how dangerous being caught off guard around water can be."

Young children and men are overrepresented in the statistics. A quarter of the drowning deaths were children aged between zero and 14 years old. In Ballarat, males are 2.3-times more likely to drown than females.

Life Saving Victoria's report raises long-term closures of public swimming pools, leading to the cancellation of swimming lessons, as an issue. Subsequently, fewer people have learnt swimming and life-saving skills.

The report also raises the shortage of swim teachers as an issue. Consequently, there has been reduced provision to meet the demand for swimming lessons and less people able to improve their skills and knowledge.

Ms Palmer herself is conscious there has been a lack of time afforded to instructing children on how to swim because of the pandemic and, compounding the situation, there has been a lack of teachers.

"Since the first lockdown in Victoria, kids have only had 29 weeks of lessons out of a possible 70 weeks," Ms Palmer said.

"Obviously, people need money so they went and got another job. The lack of swim teachers is huge."

Ms Palmer is worried about complacency amongst parents around water.

"The other thing is parents thinking (their children) are good swimmers," Ms Palmer said.

"They might have been able to swim six, eight, twelve months ago, but they haven't had the opportunity to get back in there and hone their skills."

Life Saving Victoria's principal research associate and general manager health promotion and communications Dr Bernadette Matthews urges the community to remain alert.

"Life Saving Victoria's message to all Victorians (this) summer is to remember the reason you want to get back out of the water safely and to keep kids away from danger," Dr Matthews said.

"Do not become a memory.

"Please remember that a moment of distraction can lead to a lifetime of heartbreak.

"Actively supervise children around water in the home and when at the beach, river, or pool.

"Stay safe by learning swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills, always seek out patrolled beaches and swim between the red and yellow flags.

"If boating or rock fishing, wear safety gear, such as a fully-functioning, approved life jacket and gripped shoes, and remember that drugs and alcohol don't mix with water."

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