If weight is a really big deal, Shawn Baker made a hollow paddle for my daughter that weighs next to nothing. He used a fairly simple method to laminate a "box tube" out of four strips that tapers at the ends. It is really slick and weighs about 1/5 of what her solid WRC Greenland stick weighs (both are the same length and width)

I am sure he would be happy to describe his process in great detail .

Regards,
Marcel