The six are undergoing a month-long training in Rishikesh under world renowned rafting trainers Isaac Wilson and Alan Burt. Excitement and adventure played high on each of these faces a day before they left for their training programme.Youngest of the lot, 25-year-old Dhruv Rana is not new to the tricky waters.

So, his confidence as a water baby filters through quite easily. He was drawn to rafting when he was all of 14. Says he: "I've been drawn to adventure sports ever since I was a child. And I always wanted to be in something to do with adventure." And no it was not easy for him, given the fact that he comes from a simple family which lives in Rishikesh. But he followed his dreams, he smiles as he tells you and started working in Indian Rafting Company, in 1994, where he learnt the tricks of the sport. Today, he works as a river guide in a travel company called Wanderlust. He has also participated in the first Asian Shalom Competition in China, among other competitions. And what is his ultimate goal? "To participate in Olympics one day," he says with a look of determination.

Ms Deepa Thatte, who works for business portal myiris.com is probably the bubbliest of the lot. And though she's only rafted once earlier (of which she hardly has memories now), her excitement is at a peak. So what really got her into the team. "Oh, I was just out of lunch when I saw the Four Square kiosk and just filled a form. When I got a call a week back, I was completely bowled over." And how does she feel now? "It still has to sink in, I'm just feeling vaguely excited," she says, bubbling.

29-year old Indian Air force pilot Flight Lt Paridhi Singh is one of the quieter lot. She speaks only when you probe. Having rafted four times earlier, she must not be as nervous now? "No, I am a little nervous. We are competing with international teams so I'm sure it's not going to be as simple." And is she excited? "Yes, I am," she says calmly. An avid basketball player, she joined the Air Force seven years back.

Another participant is Mr Bipin Bejjenki, who runs a hospital in Secundrabad. An adventure sports freak, he has done it all from mountain biking to deep sea snorkeling in Australia. So he must have rafted as well?

He smiles as he nods his head. "That is one thing that I haven't done before." Is he nervous? "Yes, a little but I'm also very excited." And yes, the excitement is writ large on his face. So what excites him most. ``It is the fact that he's doing it for the first time. I'm more excited about the fact that I'm representing the country," he admits frankly. He did have a little difficulty getting a month off and convincing his mother, but it was worth all the effort, he says smiling.

An adventure instructor and resource person, Mr Sujeet Sabnis is a quiet observer. No wonder then he has learnt how much he has. What started as a hobby soon became his career. Today, Mr Sabnis is doing all things an adventure freak would love to. He rock climbs, he rafts, he sails and not just that he even teaches all of it. "It a lovely feeling you know when your hobby becomes your profession," he says.

And how is it for take-life-as-it-comes attitude man, Mr Nikhilendra Singh, who heads his travel company and is an avid polo player? "It's cool." But isn't rafting a different ball game all together. "Yes, it is, but we have expert trainers. I think I'll manage." Happy sailing should we say?