I’m a good swimmer (swam competitively, but that was 30 years ago, I’m 55). Have participated in a few masters groups over the years. Interestingly, had to almost completely relearn my stroke but am now comfortable. I 've done a few local tri’s (sprint and oly distance) with as much as several hundred participants, nothing huge. There’s some crowding at the swim start but nothing that lasts. I’m wanting to move oly—>HIM—>IM. How actually dangerous are the large event swim starts? How long (distance) does the madness last? I’ve read all the “start at the outside of the wave” stuff but am fairly confident of my abilities. Will I need a dive knife? Is there any way other than participation to get a little acclimated to the rush?
Here’s a good video of how to train for the mass start of an IM:
They aren’t “dangerous” in that there is a significant risk for loss of life simply due to a crowded start. They can be a trifle scary. It’s easy to get hit in the face and that can be a disconcerting experience when you are trying to swim.
I think the best advice is to be sure you are truly comfortable and reasonably confident in the open water environment before racing in open water. Poor visibility, rough water, bad weather, sea (or lake) life including plants can create anxiety even if you are an excellent pool swimmer. The only way to get used to this is to swim open water- but in a safe setting.
swim start arent that bad if you behavie. If your a bad swimmer, to start on the ouside give you clean water. If your a great swimmer, you start on the ouside and have also clear water to swim fast to the first boey…
And for those that go in the middle…they are just looking for trouble and elusive magical draft… where you start is everything and 14 year into triathlon… i still start on my own on the side and avoid all the trouble and join the leaders when all the chaos is over!
But really, i dont see the point of been in the middle! dont like crowded spaces! just seems like 2000 people fight for the inside line to get the shortest distance dosnt make sence to me…
there are HIM and IM distance events that don’t do the mass starts. just do the non Ironman branded ones. less crazy swim start, less drafting on the bike
less crowds to cheer you on usually though =0
I’m a good swimmer (swam competitively, but that was 30 years ago, I’m 55). Have participated in a few masters groups over the years. Interestingly, had to almost completely relearn my stroke but am now comfortable. I 've done a few local tri’s (sprint and oly distance) with as much as several hundred participants, nothing huge. There’s some crowding at the swim start but nothing that lasts. I’m wanting to move oly—>HIM—>IM. How actually dangerous are the large event swim starts? How long (distance) does the madness last? I’ve read all the “start at the outside of the wave” stuff but am fairly confident of my abilities. Will I need a dive knife? Is there any way other than participation to get a little acclimated to the rush?
I had the same concerns starting out 4 years ago and found it one of the most overrated aspects. My early attempts to swim wide to avoid the pack simply resulted in losing sight of the buoys (bad eyes dont help) and almost getting lost, with choppy water, sun in the eyes etc.
While anything can happen, it is mostly a little bumping or brushing, nothing major. I think the key is being with swimmers roughly the same ability and good enough to swim straight.
The one exception was IMMoo where I went to the very back instead of the middle as I had planned due to being ill and that turned into a mess. People at the back swam at 45 degree angles, bopped in the water like seals to sight, breast stroked. I passed 600 and must have made contact with 200 so don’t ever go the back to be safe. Its a mess back there.
Since you are a good swimmer that wont happen to you unless you let it.
As for swimming wide, I eventually came to the conclusion that the simplest and easiest way is to see a buoy, swim to the buoy, see the next buoy, swim to the buoy etc.
Have fun.
That is a funny video. I love it when they start beating on him while still on land. Then they really beat the crap out of him once he gets in the water. Hilarius!
Sprints are actually the worst. Everyone thinks they can sprint 400m, and there’s a lot of thrashing at the first buoy (usually 100m to 150m). In 70.3/IMs people are dosing their efforts much more, and the level of experience is significantly higher. If you can handle the sprint starts, you’ll be fine in the longer stuff.
Here’s a good video of how to train for the mass start of an IM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3S0wu4Zbfk
THAT was #(%* awesome…and a lot like this past Sunday. Thanks for the memories. 
Ha, ha. No worries. That’s about 3 or 4 years old. It’s made the rounds here on ST several times, but it’s pretty timeless!