As the Christmas holidays approach, and Kiwis start planning their summer holidays, Surf Life Saving NZ is fearing a repeat of last year's high drowning toll.

Across the country, 63 people drowned during the 2014/15 patrol season – up by 40 per cent on the 45 drownings the season before. Some 17 of those drownings occurred at the beach.

Surf Life Saving NZ says every year a number of Kiwis drown while spending their Christmas holidays around the beach, and fear's a repeat of last year's high drowning toll. Photo: File.

This year there have been 16 beach drownings so far, with eight of those occurring in January alone. In 2014 the total number of beach drownings was 11.

SLSNZ National Lifesaving and Education Manager Allan Mundy says a key risk is that often people enjoying their Christmas and New Year holidays have travelled to unfamiliar locations.

'Unfortunately, a large number of beachgoers put themselves into unnecessary danger last summer,” says Allan.

'A large number of rescues took place outside traditional flagged patrol areas and outside of standard patrol hours.”

Allan has recently returned from the World Drowning Conference in Malaysia and says it has been estimated that most drownings are preventable.

Figures released in the global report on drowning prevention showed drowning to be amongst the top three contributors to human death in the world behind malnutrition and malaria.

'The number of people that drown each year is higher than the number of people killed in wars and through civil unrest,” he explains.

'It also sits as the third greatest cause of accidental death in New Zealand.”

He adds there are a number of overarching factors that can lead to swimmers getting into trouble.

These include underestimation of their own ability, misunderstanding or disregard of hazards like rips, the inability to cope when exposed to hazards, and a failure to keep an eye on one another.

Allan says those planning their Christmas holidays should take water safety into consideration when planning their beach destination.

While the beach is New Zealand's favourite playground, it can also be a dangerous place, and Allan suggests people visits the Find A Beach website to learn where the nearest patrolled beach is to their home or holiday location.

'Each beach is dangerous in its own right due to environmental factors,” he says. 'Even waist-deep water can be life threatening if you step in a hole or get hit by a large wave.

'Learning about the risks and preparing yourself will mean you and your family can enjoy the Christmas holidays more safely.”

To learn where the nearest Surf Life Saving NZ patrolled beach is to you, visit: www.findabeach.co.nz