: Thanks for your tips. I do have some whitewater experience, and really am not
: planning on paddling anything more than small riffles or surfing small
: waves...but also a lot of flatwater paddling. However, I would assume I
: still need a paddle with wider blades that a Greenland type paddle that
: can be carved from a 2"x4".

: I would really like to make my own paddle. I am trying to figure out what
: size lumber to start with and how long to make my paddle. Maybe use a
: 2"x6" and make the length somewhere between the ideal for
: whitewater and a Greenland paddle?

Take a look at the North Alaska paddle in this pdf.
http://www.arctickayaks.com/Lines/LinesNorthAlaskaNuniamiutUA72-78.pdf

Also on page 68 of "Qayaq" by Zimmerly there's a picture of a similar paddle to the one in the pdf except it has squared tips. Somewhere else I ran across a picture of the squared off wider variety paddle but I can't remember where.

I'm going to be making a similar paddle myself at some point to use in our shallow Nebraska rivers. Somehow I don't think a GP would be all that effective in one foot of water

Post pics of your paddle when you get it done.
Kent

: Thanks!