Going to watch my first Tri tips

Is it too late to volunteer? Maybe body marking or check in.  You can get a good perspective on them if you do so.  If not, then stay near transition if you can, but move around a bit. You should be able to watch the start, then transitions after that.

Have fun.

x2 on watching the transition areas. 

Also, when your first tri comes up, make sure you walk the transition area before the race so you know where the swim in, bike in/out and run out is located.  You dont want to be surprised on race day.

You will love it, yes maybe watch the leaders in transitions, then get into position to support your friend - unless she is a leader.

I bet your friend would love a sign to go with the cheers, use search tool for signs, has been a few threads before, some very entertaining ones.

or you could take photos of your friend, seen this blog recently on taking triathlon photos, worth a read. http://competitiveimage.wordpress.com/2013/04/10/how-to-take-a-grea...

Also - cheer for people! It's a huge pick me up and motivator.

BUT don't tell them they are 'Almost there' unless you are within sight of the finish line ...

x2^^^^^

I would volunteer but my husband and son are going with me and we are already leaving at 5:30am just to get there in time to watch... I am going to try and find out about volunteering at another ace later in the summer.

Volunteering is a terrible way to see a tri for the first time because you're stuck in one spot (not to mention leaves you unable to really help since you don't know anything either).  It's a good way to see how not to treat volunteers, though

Just be ready to move around.  Watch the swim until your friend is done and follow to transition.   Be careful to stay out of the path.  Say "Great job, keep it up!" to everyone in ear shot.  Have fun!

Yes! My favorite was a guy who was yelling "Finnish Strong!!" as we passed by at my first race. I was a little winded but it made me pick up the pace significantly and it felt great to finish strong!!

Stand one mile out from transition with a sign saying "Almost there. 1 Mile to go... if you turn back now".  Only show it to people on their way out, not those on the way back in

Watch the swim starts, watch the transitions, check out a map of the bike and run courses and see if there are different places you can easily get to to cheer your friend on.  It's always a big mental boost to get cheered for.

Most of all, stick around until the end and cheer as loud as you can for the last people crossing the finish line.

I'd recommend moving around so you can see all aspects of the race.  Ask your friend if she has a rough idea of when she will be finishing each leg so you can watch/cheer for her, but otherwise you should have ample time to watch other athletes before and after her.  For example, watch the pre-race goings on, then the swim start/finish.  Hopefully you will be able to move to transition to watch there, and the bike out.  Probably it won't be too easy to get out on the course, so just hang around watching and waiting for the bikers to come back.  Catch the next transition, then watch the run out and the finish.  And have fun!

Edited to add: you are smart to watch a race before you actually race.  Kudos!

Thanks everyone for the advice!!

I will move around, be observant, and cheer loudly!!!

Here are my race signs:

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