Best Tri's in the area

I don't swim in the ocean, so can only speak about lake swims.

NJ State and Black Bear are great, CGI is the best organizer. BB has a killer bike course though.

Buckman and Skylands are small triathlons in Central NJ with a great organization as well.

Devilman sprint/Half - south jersey.  Nice low-key, flat course.  I'm planning on doing the Half next year as prep for my Ironman.  My training plan calls for an Olympic that weekend, but that should tell you how low-impact the Half is.  I did it a few years ago and the swim was pretty foul - but I think they addressed that.

Wyckoff Tri - june - although I feel the swim is very congested at the start. 

Randolph sprint - july - lots of locals do this - makes it kinda a party atmosphere.  Definitely recommended.

Nj State - july - very well run.  CGI puts on a great race.  But honestly I feel it's too crowded now. 

And I enjoyed doing the Sandy Hookers races - VERY low key, inexpensive.  No frills, but great practice races. 

http://www.queencitytiming.com/race_pages/bare_hare_sprint_tri.htm

 Not NJ but one of the best ones out there - we need to get a NJ team down there!

I did NJ State the first year they held the race.  Thought it was pretty good, but even then, it was a big race and that's tough with two different race distances. 

I've done Jersey Genesis (in the small town of Port Republic, a little north of Atlantic City) a couple of times and absolutely loved that race.  It's a small, localish race and pretty cheap, especially if you register early (and you can generally register the day of the race- I like that ).  The locals really get involved in the race, there is some good competition in the race, and the post-race food is much better than average.  Not an event race, but a fun way to spend a day.

I really liked the tri in Brigantine (the swim is in the bay, not the ocean) a lot as well, but it's been a several years since I've done that one.

The Sandy Hookers races are great fun as well- I like the ocean swims.  Wildwood is pretty good as well.

Danskin is a great race for new female triathletes, but more experienced women may or may not like it so much. 

If you are willing to travel a bit, Eagleman Ironman 70.3 and the Columbia tri in Maryland are great as well- lots of people from Jersey head down to those (both sold out for next year already). 

Just stay far, far away from the Pine Barrens races... 

My last reply was a joke - sorry I did not make that clearer.

I can only go by races that I did so far.  None I would say that I would NOT do again - only I am looking to be more strategic in selecting next year with a lean toward more Oly's.  I hope to do at least 1 HIM if not 2 next summer.  No IMs yet I don't think.  Also considering NJ Marathon in May.

IT all depends though if I have any $ left for fees after the dems and pubs give it all away to billionaire mansion dwellers who might need it to fuel their private planes. 

Here are the ones I did:

( Summary of most with results is here: http://www.athlinks.com/myresults/34116447/Bob-Witanek.aspx   Where I indicate would do again - does not mean I will - depends on more strategic selection given my progression.

1. Riverwinds, W. Deptford NJ: Pluses - early in season for those who want to hit the ground running; Minus (maybe) - pool start but for April - probably better to be in a warm pool than 40 - 50  degree lake.  Air was cold for bike too!  Would do again.  Was my beginner first -good for a first to gain confidence before hitting open water.

2. Doc & Soc - lake swim was nice - was nervous on a prior visit but it was fine.  A little hilly - good introduction to beginner hill course.  Plus - Patanella races are usually really well run as this one was.  Nice food spread.  Nice hill intro.  Fairly close to home.  Would do again.  No minuses.

3. NJ Triathlon - enough said by others - will do this one as a standard going forward.  Was the first I signed up for before the interest in the sport grew on me.  The only minus and it is not of the organization or anything - the field is quite crowded.  What that is good for though is it promotes competitiveness - encourages you to pump.  Also good practice racing in a wider field.

4. Pne Barrens Oly - Saw critical comments above.  I had mixed feelings on this one but would probably do it again since I am looking to have more focus on Olys when possible next year.  I wrote this one up at this link: http://www.athlinks.com/myContentDisplay.aspx?itemid=97396

Excerpt on plus and minus from my verbosity:

On the plus side:

It’s a nice Oly format without the high pressure of thousands of racers like at the NJ State.
The spread was abundant including Dunkin Donuts coffee, endless bagels, boxes of apples, bananas and oranges.

This one’s a biggy – there are showers there and the bathroom facilities are clean (at begin of race especially) and abundant – no long lines.

Some people complained about the sandy trail run but it was what you bargained for if you upped for this race. You can not really compare your run time on this course with paved / boardwalk / etc. runs. Triathlon courses vary and it makes it interesting to be out on the trails. Part of the fun and challenge of this sport is the variation from course to course, from day to day.

On the need for improvement side:
I believe the course could be labeled better and a map could be produced so that racers can get an idea as to how all the out and backs and loops work.
The problem with the times needs to be fixed.   (The transition times were wrong in the results and the component splits did not add up to over all which was right.  I believe the T's were wrong and the other splits were correct.  This one is a biggy)

5. Skylands - that has been well described here.  There is a nice 3 mile hill but that is what triathlons are all about - good course for practicing hills in prep for longer hilly venues.  It was primo organized - food was incredible - Tech T's (I love Tech T's!) - $ and schedule permitting - I hope to be in this next year!

6. Sandy Hookers - War AT Shore - loved the War at Shore and its wavy start - was a challenge but a great feeling once completed that it was not a show stopper.  I did one of the practice ones too - the one when the bike was canceled.  Can't say too  much about the importance of this series for ocean training.  Nice flat bike and run so you can go full throttle.  At War - Doug Rice - race director and top sandyhooker coached hundreds of racers as to how to break through up to 6 foot waves rolling in.  It took me a few tries but when I finally followed his advice I got past them.  They are not USAT but because so I think are a bit cheaper.  Will try to get WAR and one or more practice in next year.

I still have Skate Park race on Sunday - will let you know what I think of that.  Thinking of Island Beach because I am  not quite ready to let the season go.  Might same day it if still open.

Overall - if you like triathloning - don't think you can go wrong.  Sign up for more than one a year - go nuts like i've been doing if you can.  Figure out which ones fit your strategic training plans and will help you crest for your most important ones.  Try to get into various water types including the ocean.  (Ocean miles are good practice as well as joining swim clinics with groups like httP://jstriclub.org and the Redrows at Lake Wenonah)

There might be little frustrations in some and the travel time / cost, etc. can be a factor.  Get a copy of Race Forum (or look at it on line) at begin of season - make a list of all possibilities - and whittle down to the ones it is realistic for you to go.  THere are also sites that have fairly comprehensive listings that you can use in the process.  There are none that I did so far that afterwards I thought "i wish i hadn't done that."