: 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!

Depending on your hand size, you can make the blades wider, you likely in whitewater won't ever have the time to switch hand positions anyway, so hands will almost all the time be on the loom. I suspect you'll need to glass the blades to get the required toughness, a plain wood greenland paddle I don't think would live long banging around the rocks in many rivers.

Bill H.