that should be enough for a canoe paddle. Many are smaller than that, particularly if they are made from hardwood. But even in softwood (assuming a good strong softwood) that should be enough for a starting point.

: Greetings from the Mid-West -- Currently stripping a canoe (Hiawatha by Bear
: Mtn) for my wife, and it's going okay (got a later start in the winter
: than I had planned). My question is: Wanting to start on a paddle. Will a
: shaft that starts as 1-1/4 X 1-1/4 be strong enough? If not, what is the
: minimum starting size (before rounding)? Thanks in advance for your help,
: Greg