Six people drowned over the weekend as the national death toll at Australia’s beaches and swimming spots continues to climb during the festive season.

This December alone, 33 people have lost their lives to drowning as life savers warn it’s the most dangerous time to be in the water.

The latest drowning occurred in the Murrumbidgee River in South Canberra on Sunday evening.

A 21-year-old man drowned while swimming in the river at Pine Island with family and friends around 6pm.

Police divers found the swimmer’s body a few hours later.

The four children were pulled from the water by life savers, but the dad could not be saved.

Earlier in the day, a 55-year-old man died after falling 30 metres from the top of a waterfall south of Cairns.

Around a quarter of all drowning deaths happened in the week between Christmas and New Years, Stacey Pidgeon, from Royal Life Saving Australia, said.

“This is obviously a really risky time of year when people are off on holiday, are off work and school, and there’s a lot more exposure people going to places that they wouldn’t maybe normally go to, or they’re going to waterways and cooling down with the heat,” she said.

“We are really urging people to be prepared before you go to the water this summer. So that’s making sure you pack life jackets and you wear them when you go boating and fishing.

“But also, don’t overestimate your swimming skills. Know your limits.

“Think about when was the last time you went to your local swimming pool and swam a length of the pool.

“And if you can, we do recommend people go to your local swimming pool and test out your abilities before you go to the local waterway or swimming area.”

Research showed older people over the age of 55 were one of the most at-risk groups of drowning, Pidgeon said.

“People might be really surprised about that, but we’re seeing people living more active, healthy lives and going out kayaking, fishing, boating, which is great, but some people may not be aware of their skills, or, you know, think they have the same skills they did when they were in their younger years,” she said.

In New South Wales on Saturday, a man was confirmed dead after he was pulled from the water at Shell Cove near Shellharbour, north of Kiama.

Pidgeon said the deaths were tragic for all involved. 

“Often there might be parents or adults who are first on scene, and some of those people, unfortunately, do drown when they’re attempting a rescue of their loved ones,” she said.

“So remember, in an emergency, please call triple zero, or go and get a lifeguard or a lifesaver if they are nearby.”