First timers swim wave?

In my first Tri they had a first timers wave. We started last, and the wave was smaller. I liked it since I didn't have to worrry about fast people coming from behind and pass me during the swim. The lifeguards tend to stay with that group since they are last. People are all new to it and nervous like you may be.  You will be behind everyone throughout the course unless you are fast and catch the group ahead of you...so there is less passing on the bike.

Your time starts from when your wave starts. It depends on what you are racing in...some races have a newbie category...but most you are in your age group.

I was in the first timers wave for my last (and first) tri. We started just after the long triathlon women and before the sprint triathlon men. It was a good idea really because since we were likely to be slower, it meant that on the course we were always with people and not at the back of the pack if we had started with the regular sprint wave. I got lapped by one guy in the swim on his second lap...well, he kinda swam over me..and, on the bike, I got to be passed by the fastest long and sprint cyclists.