Peter, I went to the store yesterday and looked through the building grade 2x4s until I found one with few knots and reasonably straight. It cost $2.29 US$. I know that lumber is expensive elsewhere, from my experience living in Germany, but some cheap framing timber is usually available.

I read the net, downloaded a set of plans, made a couple straight lines on the 2x4 (which felt like it weighed a ton!) and made the cuts with a band saw. Then I rounded the 90 degree angles off with the bandsaw to make octagons. Surprise.. the remaining wood was a LOT lighter. A half hour with a plane and sander and linseed oil and it looks and feels great. It is certainly lighter than my low grade commercial paddles. I can not wait to use it practicing my roll this afternoon.

Total time (including buying the 2x4) was about an hour.

For a picture, see my Kayaking Page below.

Rick

snip...
"I have been looking around at greenland paddles. I have read several articles but they all talk about timbers that are very hard to get here.

Oregon might be an option but a bit heavy on the grain (I think it is really Douglas Fir and was originally mostly imported from Oregon in the U.S. and
became known here as Oregon Pine. "

: Thanks

: pjr

: Peter Robinson
: Brisbane
: Australia