The swim is fast, current powers you down river. The start is a little tricky, you have to jump into the water, age groups, and hang onto a rope until the gun goes off.

I think a few people got hung up on the rope, but once you got free you were off like a shot, 21 mins for me and I was on the slow side.

The only caution, try not to swallow any water-- it'll be with you the whole race. It's a great course, just a weird swim start.