I built my first Greenland paddle under the eyes of Brian S. during one of his build a boat in a week classes. Now I would like to try it on my own.
I am thinking of gluing up the blank. Partly since we left a lot of wood on the ground and also I doubt I can get WRC of the same quality.

So, I was wondering if the board has a suggestion for wood that are: 1. available easily in the So. Cal area (big box?)
2. More dent resistant that WRC
3.fairly light weight
thanks for your thoughts. I will be most of the work using hand tools. But they will be power and tools except for the planes--got two Stanley planes not certain of their age but they are not new and cost a whole lot less than new similar quality.