James Argent kicks off gruelling Africa swim training with frosty 3-hour swim
Former TOWIE star Arg, 32, is on a mission to celebrate a year of being clean and sober by taking part in an epic 10-mile swimming challenge
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James Argent has kicked off his gruelling training schedule for the challenge of a lifetime.
The former TOWIE star, 32, is on a mission to celebrate a year of being clean and sober by taking part in an epic 10-mile swimming challenge.
In a bid to swim his way from Europe to Africa by water, Arg spent three frosty hours off the Kent coast in a bid to be his fittest self once the challenge comes around.
Not being afraid of the shark infested waters, Arg greased up ahead of diving in to avoid chafing.
The ten-mile international journey will see the reality star brave the unknown as he buckles down for a swim from Spain to Morocco.
And he’s not taking it as a joke.
He swapped clothes for tight trunks, goggles and a shiny gold swimming hat as he endured the rustled up waters.
The Essex boy was seen polishing up on his backstroke by the town of Deal in Kent.
James – who split from Gemma Collins this year – is determined to do what it takes to complete the challenge, as fans will be able to watch him in a TV special later on.
A source told The Sun : “It’s a mad thing to undergo, but Arg is at his best with a goal in mind.”
The source added: “He’s told mates he’s determined to stay fit and well after a good year of doing so, so he is undertaking this as a challenge to himself.”
James has already been trained in perfecting his swimming strokes after he took part in Channel 4’s TV show, Sink Or Swim, last year – but sadly the main event of swimming across the Channel was axed due to poor weather condtions.
It can take over four hours to complete for trained swimmers, and James could bump into a number of life-threatening hazards such as sharks and jellyfish.
The insider added: “It’s a lot shorter crossing than the English Channel swim, and in warmer waters, but it’ll be more difficult than a few lengths in an Essex leisure centre. He’ll have to train hard to finish it without being eaten by a shark or splatted by a ship.”
In May, James told how he came close to death twice after overdosing on drugs while addicted to cocaine.
He found himself surrounded by paramedics twice last year after locking himself away and taking illegal substances on his own.
The reality star admitted to being a heavy user of cocaine for seven years – and says his personal and professional lives impacted by his addiction.
Thankfully, he’s now sober and is determined to complete the challenge of a lifetime.
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