Royal Life Saving Australia has warned people not to swim after drinking alcohol over the Australia Day weekend, as new figures reveal a dramatic increase in drownings this summer. Since the start of   December, Royal Life Saving Australia has recorded 59 drownings, a 16 per cent increase in deaths from the same period last year. Males aged 25-44 made up more than a quarter of all drownings. In fact, males accounted for 80 per cent of all summer drownings - a statistic that is "unfortunately bang on trend" with annual averages, where men drown at four times the rate of women, according to Royal Life Saving national manager of research and policy Amy Peden. "Men tend to undertake riskier behaviour than women; when they're out with their mates they are not as likely to wear a lifejacket, and are more likely to drink alcohol," Ms Peden said. Intoxication typically contributes to 30-40 per cent of drownings, according to previous reports by Royal Life Saving Australia. It is more of a problem over the summer holidays, due to the combination of public holidays and warmer weather, Ms Peden said.