The World Surf League, on Sunday, made an announcement regarding one of their athletes on the 2026 Men’s Championship Tour.
No names were used. No details of what allegedly happened were made public. The only information that was given by the World Surf League was the following: a surfer on the Championship Tour was allegedly involved in a “deeply serious nature involving the competitor” incident during the Outerknown Tahiti Pro back in August. And following that alleged incident, that surfer has been suspended from competition by the WSL.
Multiple surf publications – starting with veteran surf journalist, Nick Carroll, over at Surfing World – have identified the surfer as Al Cleland Jr. of Mexico. No confirmation from the World Surf League or the suspended surfer has yet been made official. But the rumor mill is swirling, and more information will surely be made available in the future.
For now, here is the statement from the WSL:
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.
The allegations involve conduct in relation to a private gathering in Tahiti in August. The gathering was not affiliated with the WSL.
All WSL competitors are bound by the conduct standards outlined in the WSL Rule Book, at all times. 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 WSL is committed to upholding the values and integrity of the sport on behalf of all surfers, and the broader surfing community.
The WSL is continuing to follow its process and has offered assistance to relevant authorities.
The WSL is unable to provide any further information at this time.
More information to come as it becomes available.
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