Comstock is in the water, making his attempt to swim across English Channel

East Granby’s Doug Comstock, a Canton High graduate, is in the water today trying to swim across the English Channel. (Photo courtesy Liberty Forrest)

East Granby’s Doug Comstock, the Canton High graduate who hopes to swim across the English Channel, is in the water. He began his swim earlier on Tuesday, Aug. 11 around 3 a.m. on the East Coast or nearly 8 a.m. in England.

Comstock, 60, has been in Europe since mid-July waiting for favorable conditions to make the attempt to swim 21 miles across the English Channel from Dover, England to Cape Gris Nez, France.

You can follow Comstock’s progress by following the boat accompanying him on the swim. It is captained by Peter Reed on the Rowena.

Comstock, who graduated from Canton High in 1973, has been training for this swim for three years. He has already raised more than $10,000 to donate to Foodshare, which helps distribute food to the needy in Hartford and Tolland County and to the East Granby Friend to Friend food pantry.

Doug Comstock minutes before beginning his attempt to swim the English Channel today. Swimmers trying to cross the English Channel cannot wear wetsuits. Only a swimsuit, cap, goggles and nose plugs are allowed. (Photo courtesy Liberty Forrest)

East Granby’s Doug Comstock swims away from the English cliffs at Dover. (Photo courtesy Liberty Forrest)

Click on the link for our previous story on Comstock.