Slalom Racing is a very good way to improve your river running skills and to that end "citizen" racing could be very beneficial to your kayaking enjoyment.
The Alberta Whitewater Association is the provoncial governing body for whitewater paddling in Alberta and offers many low level competitions durng the spring, summer and fall which feature a "plastic boat" division to their events.

To know more about when and where these events are held, please lookup the AWA calendar of events on their web site at www.AlbertaWhitewater.ca