Thanks Brian, from this and the lack of other posts I deduce that this is not a problem and that one can safely leave an oiled paddle to "freeze" and thaw as the winter goes its course...

: What do you mean storage? Get a drysuit and get out there and paddle this
: winter!

Wish I could, but here at 60 northern we get that hard stuff , and then snow, plenty of snow

: Seriously, I assume this is not an option for you. I'd suggest that you oil
: the paddle before storing it. The oil coating is not a moisture barrier
: like varnish or epoxy is, so the wood will equilabrate to the surrounding
: conditions to some degree.

This paddle has been a "sacrificial" project, now in its 4th "incarnation", so logically I guess I should keep on subjecting it to experiments... in this case wiping it with turpentine and then leaving it in dry and warm indoor storage, just to see if it will dry further and loose some weight...hmmmm?