Little Compton Surfing Couple Shreds Big Waves In "Easterns"

A surging Nor'Easter during an annual surfing competition on the North Carolina coastline recently helped a Little Compton couple take home awards in their respective divisions.

Ana and Charles "Chuck" Barend won their respective divisions in the "Easterns" this September in Nags Head, an annual championship of the Eastern Surfing Association. Ana won both the women's short and longboard divisions and Chuck, 44, took first place in the Master's Longboard and second place in the Senior Men's Shortboard.

Ana said they still compete because it "keeps us motivated to stay in shape" and they love to mingle with friends and compete together. She added that big competitive surfing gives them an opportunity to coach a newer generation. Currently, they coach the All Star East Coast Surfing Team.

"It is a privilege to work with the best young surfers in the East Coast," Ana said in an email. "This year we went to Nicaragua for a training week with them."

The two met in Hawaii and moved to Little Compton in 2003. Chuck was a sales rep in the surfing industry for a while, and in 2009 he opened in Little Compton.