I wonder if people cover store bought wooden paddles with epoxy or epoxy/glass?

I have a couple light wood paddles that came finished with what looks like mere varnish. Stored inside the varnish shell lasts forefer except for where the paddle gets dings, which open up pretty quickly into soft spots if they get wet before repair of the finish. I soaked with linseed oil, which stopped the ongoing softening, but this is probably not the way to go. Also Linseed oil seems to support mold in a non-bone dry garage over time.