[Paddlewise] Single Blade Spare

I want to make single blade paddle to use as a spare on my kayaks. I want it very light
and strong (I paddled with a borrowed canoe paddle and (because it's not counterweighted
like a two-blade?) it felt like it was lead-filled).

Questions:

'Best' wood for good strength/weight ratio

'Best' finish ?

Laminate it (fiberglass?) for strength?

Length algorithm?

Blade-end protection?

Suggested shapes?

Thanks y'all.

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