Figures released by the Royal Life Saving Society show that about 50,000 children are leaving primary school every year without knowing how to swim.

Aquatics and Recreation Victoria chief executive Ian Swan said learning how to swim was a lifesaving skill.

"It's pretty essential because if you can't, you drown," he said.

Aquatics and Recreation Victoria runs the state's pioneering community water safety program, VICSWIM. To date, the program has helped teach nearly a million children how to swim.

Mr Swan said that although it was compulsory for children in Victoria to learn the essential skill, due to curriculum clashes and costs a number were unable to do so.

He encouraged parents to enrol children in a water safety program like VICSWIM not only to survive but broaden their horizons as well. "If you can swim and you're confident in and around water, then you can participate safely in activities like canoeing, yachting and kayaking. You can play water polo or swim recreationally. You can swim competitively. You can be a lifesaver. You can be a swimming teacher.

"It opens up employment opportunities, it opens up recreation and leisure opportunities that you wouldn't otherwise get."

VICSWIM Summer Kidz co-ordinator Julie Rankin said up to 5000 children took part in the program every year. "Along with their normal swimming, learning the strokes and techniques, they also learn survival skills in accordance with their level," she said.

Ms Rankin said the program was crucial. "There are still a lot of kids who get to year 7 that don't have adequate aquatic skills to be able to survive."

VICSWIM Summer Kidz runs between January 9 and 27 and consists of three one-week programs. Cost: $25 for five lessons. Details: vicswim.com.au