Law enforcement officials on the island of Tahiti have launched an investigation into an alleged group sexual assault on a minor female surfer after an August surfing competition at the world-famous surfing spot Teahupo'o.
The investigation was confirmed to USA TODAY Sports by Jacques Louvier, advocate general of the court of appeals in Papeete, Tahiti. It comes after almost two weeks of speculation and rumor after the World Surfing League announced Oct. 12 it suspended an athlete for “allegations of a deeply serious nature.”
While the WSL has not named the suspended surfer, and has not responded to repeated requests for information, Louvier told USA TODAY Sports the investigation involves a Mexican national. The only Mexican national who has competed in WSL events in 2026 is 24-year-old Alan Cleland Jr.
Cleland, who represented Mexico at the 2024 Olympics, did compete at the event in Tahiti, according to WSL results. He has not competed in any events since the suspension was announced. His profile has also been removed from the websites of his sponsors, Quiksilver and Monster Energy.
Cleland did not respond to requests for comment and the WSL declined to comment.
The allegations involved conduct "in relation to a private gathering" in Tahiti in August that was not affiliated with the WSL, according to the league.
The WSL’s Outerknown Tahiti Pro event was held in Tahiti in August.
"All WSL competitors are bound by the conduct standards outlined in the WSL Rule Book, at all times," the WSL statement read. “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 said it offered assistance to "relevant authorities" and is unable to provide any further information at this time.
The International Surfing Association, the sport's Olympics governing body, also "provisionally suspended the athlete" it said was involved in "serious allegations of abuse."
The incident involved a teenage Australian girl, according to Surfing World. There has been some confusion about which law enforcement agency is, or should be, investigating the alleged crime.
USA TODAY Sports contacted Australia's Federal police force and New South Wales Police by email asking whether there is a pending investigation. Andrew Simmons, a representative from the New South Wales Police Media Unit, referred all questions to the French Polynesian Police, who he said were investigating the allegations.
But Jérémie Tritz, a representative of the French Polynesian Ministry of Justice, initially told USA TODAY Sports by email that since the alleged victim is Australian, the case would be prosecuted in Australia.
"We have no pending complaints or legal proceedings initiated against Alan Cleland at the Papeete public prosecutor’s office," Tritz wrote in an Oct. 20 email.
Alex Malyon, a spokesperson for the Australian Federal Police, also responded by email:
"Given the alleged offence was committed in Tahiti, we would defer to local authorities, so its confusing that they have told you this is a matter for Australian authorities,'' Malyon wrote.
On Oct. 21, a day after Tritz's email, Louvier emailed USA TODAY Sports with an update. Police in New South Wales had forwarded a complaint that day which had been filed by a minor, he said.
"On this basis, the Public Prosecutor has tasked the Gendarmerie’s Research Section with conducting an investigation," Louvier's email states.
'Stop idolizing abusers'
The suspension of the surfer spurred another woman to come forward with her own allegations involving Cleland. Noah Klapp, who has competed on the WSL Qualifying Series and previously dated Cleland, wrote in a public social media post that she was sexually assaulted "many times" by Cleland when she was 17. Klapp said she turned 23 Monday.
Klapp said she came forward after waking up to the news of separate sexual assault allegations against Cleland and on Instagram detailed her allegations.
“I know there are other stories like mine in the small circus that is the surf industry and WSL," Klapp wrote, "and it is time to take real action and stop idolizing abusers."
Klapp did not respond to a voicemail and text message left on a number registered in her name.
Cleland finished tied for ninth in surfing at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is ranked 24th in the men's Championship Tour rankings. He made it to the quarterfinals of the event in Tahiti. His athlete profile still appears on the WSL website.
The WSL, when asked by email to confirm or deny the suspended surfer is Cleland, told USA TODAY Sports, "At this time, the WSL is not identifying the competitor."
Cleland is not competing at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal that is underway, according to results on the WSL website. The Inertia, a surfing publication, reported Cleland missed the postseason cut by two, "meaning he was already ineligible to compete" in the Portugal event and the Philippines Pro Oct. 31 to Nov. 10. The top 22 men and top 14 women qualified for these two events based on their best seven results from the first nine events on the 2026 Championship Tour.
Cleland last competed in September at the WSL's Lexus Trestles Pro in San Clemente, Calif., according to the WSL's website.
Surfing community responds
Klapp's post provoked a strong response in the pro surfing world.
Legendary surfer Kelly Slater was among the first to comment on Klapp's allegations against Cleland, writing, “Regardless of these current allegations, your own story would be too much. So sorry to hear this. This is a huge issue. I’m disgusted to hear all this. Good on you for having the strength to speak out and let it be known."
Bethany Hamilton, a pro surfer who lost her left arm in a shark attack and continued to compete, wrote, "Thank you for speaking up! May justice be served."
Brazilian Yago Dora, the 2025 WSL men’s world champion, wrote, "So disgusting you and many other women had to go through that…so sorry to hear this, we won’t tolerate any kind of abuser! Thanks for speaking up!"
USA TODAY Sports reporter Jon Arnold contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Olympic surfer suspended, Tahiti investigates alleged sexual assault of a minor