The private pilot of the personal flight stated that he was attempting a soft field takeoff from a grass/dirt runway when the right elevator struck the ground. The airplane veered to the right, and the pilot applied corrective aileron and rudder control inputs while he continued the takeoff. The pilot did not hear or feel the impact of the elevator with the ground and continued the takeoff. As the airplane approached the runway departure end, the pilot pulled back on the control yoke to get the airplane airborne. The pilot was unable to get the airplane airborne and it impacted and became partially submersed in a saltwater canal at the departure end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall, left wing, and right elevator. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane.