Wave start : staggered or rolling start
IntensityStart format where athletes launch in staggered groups to reduce contact in the swim.
Three formats exist: (1) mass start : everyone together, the most physical; (2) wave start : groups of 50-100 athletes launched 2-3 min apart by age group or estimated finish time; (3) rolling start : self-seeding, athletes enter the water individually by declared swim time, seconds apart. Ironman Kona has used rolling starts since 2013. Local races often alternate between mass and wave starts.
In TriPaced:
In TriPaced, the start format for your Race A is shown in the race sheet (when known). It informs your positioning strategy at the start and management of the first 400 m of the swim.