East Granby Resident Attempting to Swim English Channel

Editor’s note: We published this story earlier in the week, but here it is again in case you missed it.

Next month, Douglas “Clydesdale” Comstock will be attempting something very few have ever been able to accomplish, and is doing it in the name of charity.

The 60-year-old East Granby resident will attempt a solo swim crossing from Dover, England to Cape Gris Nez, France across the famed English Channel, which is regarded as the Mount Everest of open water swimming. He hopes to raise $10,000 as a result of his swim, with all sponsorships and donations that result from his adventure going to www.foodshare.org.

News that there is a hunger problem in an affluent state like Connecticut may surprise some, but it is no joke. According to Foodshare’s website, “our clients live in every single town in these counties, from the wealthiest suburbs to the most rural communities.”

“I was moved to do something to not just raise money, but increase awareness of this issue,” Comstock said. “That so many are in so much need should shock the sensibilities of every person who reads this and motivate them to make a contribution.”

More people have successfully scaled Everest than have swum across the English Channel. Comstock will have to fight to get his air one breath at time from just above the surface of the cold, choppy waters between the U.K. and France. Waves, current, 57F degree waters, and fatigue will be in the mix - as well as the danger of hypothermia.

The distance to swim is just over 21 miles. The time needed to make the crossing varies from as few as seven hours to as many as 27 hours. The water conditions and the condition of the swimmer determine the time needed.

For such a long time in the water, swimmers have to figure out how and what to eat and drink during the swim. All this while greased from head to toe. Grease is the preferred (and only allowed) insulator for swimmers. Swimmers are not permitted to use any kind of material that offers buoyancy or thermal insulation. It is a brutal test of endurance.

Comstock calls himself an “ordinary athlete with extraordinary mental toughness.”

Back in the 1980s, Comstock developed mental toughness working on a fishing boat in Homer, Alaska - Deadliest Catch style. During the week he was fed well, but on weekends he was homeless and hungry. That experience left him wanting to give back and help those that are hungry, so he created this fundraiser to benefit Foodshare and East Granby’s “Friend to Friend” Food Pantry.

In addition to being a former commercial fisherman, Comstock is also a two-time finisher of the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon and black belt team member on the U.S. Intersport Karate team to Russia and Poland. He has also directed his own training company since 1981 and is an award winning inspirational speaker and coach on the topics of mental toughness, high performance, and excellence.

He believes that he is more than up to the challenge he is facing.

“As much of this and other challenges are about fitness, they are more about the state of mind of the person who undertakes them,” he said. “It’s easy to set a tough goal, achieving it is another story.”

People who would like to donate to or sponsor him can do so by clicking here.

Photo courtesy of Douglas Comstock.