Thanks for your tips. I do have some whitewater experience, and really am not planning on paddling anything more than small riffles or surfing small waves...but also a lot of flatwater paddling. However, I would assume I still need a paddle with wider blades that a Greenland type paddle that can be carved from a 2"x4".

I would really like to make my own paddle. I am trying to figure out what size lumber to start with and how long to make my paddle. Maybe use a 2"x6" and make the length somewhere between the ideal for whitewater and a Greenland paddle?

Thanks!