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

VICSWIM Summer Kidz co-ordinator Julie Rankin said up to 5000 children took part in the program each year, learning "extremely vital" skills.

"Along with their normal swimming, learning the strokes and techniques, they also learn survival skills in accordance with their level," she said.

"There are still a lot of kids that get to year 7 that don't have adequate aquatic skills to be able to survive. We're surrounded by water, the rivers are flowing a lot faster and they don't have the skills to be equipped to cope with that."

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

Aquatics and Recreation Victoria run VICSWIM which has already taught almost 1 million children how to swim.

Mr Swan said that due to curriculum clashes and costs, such as transportation and lessons, not all pupils were able to learn to swim.

In order to make learning how to swim more accessible to people from non-English speaking backgrounds, Aquatics and Recreation Victoria is looking to implement the VICSWIM Cultural program in places like Dandenong.

VICSWIM Cultural is taught by teachers who have been trained in swimming and water safety by Aquatics and Recreation Victoria but are also fluent in a language other than English.

VICSWIM Summer Kidz is running from this week until January 27 and comprises three one-week programs. Cost is $25 for five lessons. Details: vicswim.com.au.