Dave

I make paddles out of clear cedar. To finish them, I apply a coat of epoxy, and then wipe the paddle with a rag to remove all the excess epoxy. The wood absorbs the remaining epoxy. After it cures, I repeat the process. This results in a paddle with a surface that is protected while not being slippery. For additional protection, I apply a few coats of thickened epoxy at the tips where the paddle gets the most exposure to rocks. After being used for awhile, some of the absorbed epoxy will waste away. A quick recoat and wipe is all that is needed to restore the surface protection

Bobby