The key skill for getting in and out of the water is to avoid drag by high-stepping over the water.  

Let’s watch Sara entering and starting to swim at normal speed.

And then slow it down to see all the steps.  She makes a good solid run into the water.  When she feels some drag, she starts to high step over the water, sending her feet out to the side with small, quick steps.

When she can no longer get her legs over the water, she makes a shallow dive and starts to dolphin dive until she can swim with no interference from the bottom.
Here it is again at full speed.

If you’re in the ocean and swimming into breaking waves, try to swim under or through each wave so it won’t push you back toward shore.  

Other races will start from in the water.  To practice this, hang out for a few minutes in waist-deep water, staying relaxed, then use a strong kick to get going.

When you practice your starts, practice at the same speed you will use on race day.  

Keep in mind that, for most people, the pace you train at is the pace you need to race at.  

The best strategy is to ignore everyone else and start at your pace.  Don’t worry about being the first person to the first buoy.  Keep your heart rate under control, find a sustainable pace, and then cruise with it for the rest of the swim.   

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Practicing Starts