I forgot to add my usual disclaimer....

Do what works best for you!

There are at least a million ways to skin any one cat in boat building, usually all work equally well, and it really tends to boil down to doing what you are most comfortable doing. I have absolutely zero objection to anything that's been offered .... other than none of it is as good as what I do. :-P

Just for the record, I glue up my paddle blanks with Titebond II; after sanding is complete I give an overall seal coat of epoxy to petrify the pores for all eternity; then fiberglass the impact prone places. Then wonder how to get a beautiful finish that isn't slippery as a politician.