Sam Hammer, of Lavallette, grew up surfing the pier and probably knows it better than any other surfer. This local knowledge proved crucial Monday, as Hammer took his second Grudge Match championship.

The Grudge Match, sponored bySmith Optics, is perhaps the most prestigious contest for New Jersey surfers. After the first round, each heat is man-on-man with a winner-take-all $3,500 purse. After six years, the regional and personal grudges have created even more history, as surfers look to avenge past losses and settle old scores.