Regardless of the -measured- height of the waves, it sounds like you swam in conditions far outside most people's first triathlons. I'm impressed! Don't let my questions take away from your accomplishment. You weren't there to go surfing, but it sounds like you could have From experience, open water swimming with any kind of swell is tricky unless you do it on a semi-regular basis. Getting beyond the surf zone can be tricky too! Look at it this way, any future open water swims are going to be a piece of cake compared to this one!

Oh... and congratulations!