Surfer suspended from world tour for alleged sexual assault of NSW teenager

The World Surf League (WSL) has suspended one of its competitors after it was made aware of an alleged sexual assault involving a NSW teenager in Tahiti in August.

Alan Cleland jnr, 24, has been suspended from the Championship Tour after joining last year. He competed for Mexico in the 2024 Olympic Games. Three other alleged perpetrators are not affiliated with the league.

“The World Surf League (WSL) confirms that a competitor on the 2026 Men’s Championship Tour has been suspended after the WSL was recently made aware of allegations of a deeply serious nature involving the competitor,” a statement issued by the WSL on Sunday read.

The Championship Tour’s seventh stop of 2026 was at the Teahupo’o wave in Tahiti between August 8 and August 18. It was also the venue for surfing events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The WSL said the allegations involve conduct in relation to a private gathering that was not affiliated with the competition.

Cleland was not named by the WSL but has been removed from their competition rankings. He was also removed from his major sponsor Quicksilver’s website.

“After being informed of the allegations, the WSL Discipline Committee took prompt action and issued a provisional suspension to the competitor from all WSL events,” the statement read.

“The WSL is continuing to follow its process and has offered assistance to relevant authorities.”

Spokespeople for NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police said the matter is being dealt with by local police in French Polynesia. French Polynesian police said they could not confirm whether there was an investigation under way.