There are twelve teams, including a six-member French team and an all-women squad from Manipur, will participate in the three-day river rafting competition. Teams from Army, J&K, Manipur, Garhwal Vikas Mandal, Haryana, Sikkim and Gorkha Hill Council (Darjeeling) are the other participants. The White Water Challenge would include a 2000 metres marathon for white water rafts and kayaks and 200 metres sprints.

``White Water Challenges act as a great catalyst towards popularising adventure sports in India and with international teams showing greater interest over the years, the sport is all set to take off in a big way,'' said Avinash Kohli, founder, the Indian River Runners Association.

The events will be held in following categories: 200m sprints for White Water rafts and kayaks; 2000m marathon, slaloms and marathon.

The 2000 metre raft marathon will start from Shivpuri and finish at Brahmpuri and the event will culminate with a grand marathon from Shivpuri to Rishikesh on April 25.