most people seem to prefer an oil finish. I use a mixture of roughly one part varnish, one part boiled linseed oil, and two parts turpentine. Apply several coats as fast as the wood will absorb it, and then another two or three after it dries. Rubbing the paddle with 0000 steel wool between coats. This mix is very similar to Watco, which you can get in different colors if you want, but it's quite a bit cheaper to mix it yourself. Varnish is too slick, but if you like that idea try roughing the surface with steel wool for a better grip.

As to the tips, there are lots of options - you can simply do nothing, and let them get a little dinged up, which isnt a problem unless you intend to fend off ice and rocks. A little sliver of epoxy/glass over the end grain does a nice job, and blends in well. Ive tried glassing up partway on the blade faces, its a PITA. A spline cut into the tips also works well, ot a solid hardwood tip mortise-and-tenon style but I havent messed with that.

Have fun with your new paddle!

: Following some internet plans, I roughed out a Greenland paddle and began
: sanding it. Once I finish working through the sanding phase, what should I
: finish it with? Should I bother doing something to protect the ends?