World Surf League Suspends Pro Surfer Alan Cleland Jr. Amid Sexual Assault Allegations
The WSL has provisionally suspended 24th-ranked Alan Cleland Jr. after being made aware of allegations involving a teenager in Tahiti.
The World Surf League (WSL) has suspended Mexican surfer Alan Cleland Jr., ranked 24th in the world, from all competition following allegations of sexual assault involving a teenager in Tahiti. The suspension was announced Monday and has sent ripples through the surfing community.
The incident reportedly occurred at a private party after the final day of the Outerknown Tahiti Pro in August, which was the seventh stop on the WSL Championship Tour. The WSL stated that the gathering was not affiliated with the league.
Journalist Nick Carroll reported in Surfing World that the alleged incident involved an Australian teenager and at least three men. According to the report, NSW Police have been informed and are in contact with surfing authorities. It remains unclear if French Polynesian authorities are pursuing any legal action.
The WSL confirmed the suspension in a statement, noting that a competitor on the 2026 Men's Championship Tour was provisionally suspended after the league was alerted to "allegations of a deeply serious nature." The statement emphasized that all WSL competitors are bound by the conduct standards outlined in the WSL Rule Book at all times and that the WSL Discipline Committee took prompt action upon being informed.