swimming in a group in open water

As Jeffy said, it doesn't hurt to "practice" the contact and go in with confidence. But me, I like the rugby match.

If you're a fairly competent swimmer, actually, considering starting toward the front, but at the outside edge. That way, you get less scrum, better vision, and can easily move in to hop on someone's feet to draft.

I am doing my second tri this Sunday - I was planning on exactly what TriAya stated above - thanks for the reassurance.

Ed 

+2  :experience counts a lot for getting comfortable in that setting.  (the more you do it, the less you'll think about it)  Stay realtively aggressive and focus on your stroke from the get-go.

Being mentally prepared for all the contact and setting your mind to ignore it and just keep swimming can be tough. We (well most people) are conditioned to react/apologize when we bump into someone. That doesn't work when you are starting the swim and dozens of people are making contact.

Set your mind to focus on moving forward and hold your ground. Find the path of least resistance if things get congested and just keep moving. Don't feel like you've got to start off like a bullet either, unless you are a speedster and can pull ahead of the crowd, churning at the start is probably going to be diminishing returns. Just relax and remember that it isn't personal and  things will spread out over the course of the race. 

I have my first OWS Tri in one week.  I too am somewhat concerned about swimming with 189 other people in my wave, all newbies.  I have been practicing with two other friends who swim all over me, on top, pull my feet, tickle my feet.  The first time out was horrible but now I am able to focus on just the swim and counting my strokes no matter who is tugging at me.  I know it will be different on the big day but I feel somewhat prepared.  Keeping relaxed and focus will be my challenge but I plan on starting in the back of the group and to the outside and hopefully I will find my way.  Good luck!

Training is important....TRY THIS.

LOL ... man, that never gets old.

I'm totally a newbie, but my swimming coach advised me to swim wide in my first oly tri w/ a big start.  She said the more aggressive swimmers would probably swim closer to the buoy line and by keeping to the left (in this particular race), I'd avoid a lot of the contact.  It worked well for me, and by about 1/3 into the swim, it had thinned out enough and I felt comfortable swimming closer. 

I'm a relative newb too, but I quickly learned the value in starting as close to the outside of your wave as possible.  If you're nervous about the chaos of the start, having no one to one side can really help calm the nerves.  Also, I think it's better than starting in the back like a lot of people recommend, because you just may discover that you're a stronger swimmer than you thought, and being on the outside allows you to pass people with greater ease rather than picking your way though the masses.