VIDEO - IMLP Time Trial Swim Start

Couldn't see much on the video.  Do people cross a timing mat as they enter the water?  How many enter the water at a time?

Yes you cross a timing mat, and as fast as you see that group in the video moving forward is as fast as you enter the water. It is very similar to a running race, everyone just shuffles forward until they cross the start line. And once you cross you can run out a bit and just start swimming. It is not very crowded unless you try to hug the buoys. The turns were moderately crowded on the first loop.

I'd say about 15-20 get into the water at a time to start swimming. IMCDA was this way this year and I wasn't crowded at all except at the turns. The start was very relaxing. Like getting into the water with 10-15 of your friends and start swimming type of thing. I was passing people constantly which was a mental satisfaction sort of thing since I was very confident swimming.