Sam Hammer Wins Grudge Match
Lavallette's Sam Hammer claims his fourth Grudge Match title in dominant fashion
6 p.m. update: Sam Hammer won his fourth Garden State Grudge Match title with a win over Mike Ciaramella in the final round. Hammer, of Lavallette, followed up a perfect scoring wave in the semi-finals with another perfect score in the final, wedging himself deep into a barrel before emerging and slashing two massive off-the-top turns. That score, along with an earlier 7.5 point ride secured his victory. Ciaramella proved a worthy adversary throughout the day. The 18-year-old from Avalon was competing in his first Grudge Match final and only his second Grudge Match appearance— he made the semi-finals last year. Hammer's victory solidified his position as New Jersey's preeminent surfer. 5 p.m. update: It's the rookie versus the veteran in …
