Gore resident Scott Thompson has spent his summer paddling through the waters of Sequoyah and Cherokee counties, sharing his love for kayaking and raising awareness about protecting Oklahoma’s waterways.
From the peaceful Illinois River to the shimmering expanses of Lake Tenkiller, Thompson became a familiar face— though not necessarily a dry one—offering kayak tours to anyone who wanted to experience life on the water.
“I’ve always loved the water,” Thompson says with a grin. “There’s something peaceful about gliding across the lake…until you realize you forgot your sunscreen. But really, it’s just you and nature. It’s hard not to fall in love with it.”
What started as a personal hobby quickly turned into a mission for Thompson. This summer, he spent countless hours on the water, not only enjoying the serenity of Lake Tenkiller but also sharing it with others.
Though he didn’t start a formal business, word spread like wildfire (or maybe like paddles on a calm day). He quickly gained a reputation in the area as the go-to person for kayak tours, while also becoming an outspoken advocate for environmental protection.
“Kayaking is a great way to get people hooked—on nature, that is,” he laughs. “Once you’re out on the water, you start seeing it all in a new light, and you can’t help but want to take care of it.”
Thompson’s tours were part nature guide, part history lesson, and part stand-up routine. He’d take small groups on guided trips, pointing out local wildlife with a wink and saying things like, “There’s a heron—no relation to Big Bird, but they do have the same stage presence.”
He also shared stories about the area’s rich history and the environmental challenges facing Oklahoma’s waterways, from pollution to climate change.
“It’s easy to feel disconnected from nature,” he says. “But when you’re face-to-face with a turtle, you kind of have no choice but to pay attention.”
He used humor to keep things light while talking about serious issues, like how human interference can disrupt the ecosystem.
“I always tell people— trash doesn’t magically disappear when you toss it in the river. If only! But we all need to do our part to keep these waters clean,” he says.
Working at resorts near Lake Tenkiller gave Thompson the perfect base for his tours, and he found himself balancing leisurely paddles with impromptu lessons on conservation.
“I met so many wonderful people this summer,” he recalls. “Some had never been in a kayak before, and by the end of the trip, they were paddling like pros—and maybe even considering giving up their jet skis for good.”
Despite the summer season winding down, Thompson isn’t slowing.
“There’s no ‘off-season’ for protecting our waters,” he says. He plans to continue his advocacy work yearround, organizing more tours and leading cleanup projects.
“The way I see it, there’s a lot of trash to pick up and a lot of people convinced that paddling beats polluting,” he says.
As he packs away the kayaks for now, Thompson’s impact on both the community and the environment is clear. For those lucky enough to join him on the water, the experience wasn’t just a fun summer outing— it was a lesson in conservation, served with a splash of humor and a dash of adventure.
