I'm thinking of signing up for a beginner triathlon class at the YWCA. How many of you got started this way? Was it helpful? Was it mostly aimed at runners who don't swim or was there useful information for swimmers who don't run, as well.
I don't actually have any burning desire to do a triathlon, I'm mainly hoping to meet partners for lake swimming in the summer. (I'm an o.w. swimmer, mostly) However, I'll try one just to see if I like it.

If you just want partners for OWS, I suggest checking out a local tri club. They probably have weekly group workouts. I've never done a triathlon class so I can't comment.

why? Nothing magic about a tri swim bike run.....what is the class for besides social gig to meet chicks? or dudes?

It's a women-only class. Yes, it is partly social, I've moved to this city recently and don't know many people. Plus, I haven't had any successful attempts to get back into running since my kneecaps slammed into a car dashboard during a head-on collision some years ago, so a bit of guidance wouldn't go amiss.
I don't want to join the local triathlon club. It costs a lot more than this class and seems to be only for high level athletes, if the website is anything to go by. Definitely not friendly towards beginners.

I think you'd be surprised at how friendly they will be to a beginner. I have no idea what club it is but triathletes in general are a pretty supportive group of people. Then again if there's a high cost, I could be wrong. Might some of the cost be for the team kit? If so, maybe you can opt out of that.

I just signed up for my first class, starts this saturday, at 8am. it was only $101. I am 31 years old, married with two kids, i am not into it for meeting girls, i am actually willing to try it....we will see how it goes.

I personally have never done a class and enjoy training on my own; HOWEVER, I have a ton of friends that are members of Tri clubs here in Dallas and they love it. It's very supportive and social. To me, the social aspect of it takes away from getting good workouts in. They stand around socializing a lot.