CANOEING:Hundreds of competitors will paddle from Straffan to Islandbridge tomorrow in the annual Liffey Descent. The race has been added to the International Canoe Federation's Classic Marathon Series, and a group of nine Czech Republic paddlers hope to amass points in the series, which covers events from South Africa to Denmark.

Karl Dunne, the general manager of the race, says this is part of the plan to reinvigorate the event. “Over the next couple of years we want to build the Liffey Descent back to its glory days,” he said. “The world series “brings us more kudos – and it will bring more international paddlers”.

The new hub for the race is at Garda Boat Club, which is on the north side of the Liffey at Islandbridge.