Content note: this piece talks about sexual assault and abuse. Please look after yourself, and skip ahead if you need to. Support details are further down the page.
Speaking up in our surf community
In October 2026, some difficult news came out of pro surfing, and we couldn’t stay quiet about it.
On 11 October, the World Surf League provisionally suspended a men’s Championship Tour surfer over what it called allegations “of a deeply serious nature”. They relate to a private gathering in Tahiti in August. The surfer has been widely reported as Mexico’s Alan Cleland Jr. As of 26th October 2026, he hasn’t been charged with anything, and the allegations haven’t been tested in court.
Days later, German pro surfer Noah Klapp shared her own story. She alleges that Cleland abused her during their relationship, which started when she was 17. Since then, she says, many other women and girls have privately come to her with their own experiences in surfing. She has called out a culture that lets harmful behaviour slide. Surfers including two-time world champion Tyler Wright have publicly stood behind her.
We’re not here to pass judgement on a legal case. But we can’t ignore how many women are saying “me too” about the sport we love. It took real courage for them to speak, and we’re with them. It’s made us realise this may be far more common than any of us thought, so we want to share where to turn, how to get support, and how we can help.
A word from Survivor Space Oxfordshire
We reached out to Lauren, a Women & Waves regular who also happens to be CEO of Survivor Space Oxfordshire:
“I’m a surfer too, and the water should be somewhere everyone feels free and safe. When someone speaks up publicly, it often gives others the courage to do the same, and we know how hard that first step is. Last year, Survivor Space supported 813 survivors across Oxfordshire. Not one of them was to blame, and none of them should have to carry it alone. Whether it happened last week or decades ago, in the water or anywhere else, you deserve to be believed and supported.”
Lauren Kendall, CEO, Survivor Space Oxfordshire
If this has happened to you
- It is not your fault. Whatever happened, whenever it happened, and whoever it was.
- You don’t have to go to the police to get help. Support services will listen without pushing you to report, and you can take your time.
- If it was recent, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can give you free NHS medical care, emergency contraception and STI tests. They can also store forensic evidence in case you decide to report later. You don’t have to talk to the police to use one.
- If it happened a long time ago, it still counts and support is still there for you. There’s no time limit.
- If someone tells you, listen, believe them, and let them choose what happens next. You don’t need the perfect words.
- If you’re in danger right now, call 999.
Where to get support (UK)
- Rape Crisis 24/7 Support Line (England and Wales): call free on 0808 500 2222, or chat online at 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk. For any adult affected by sexual violence, at any time.
- Survivor Space Oxfordshire: free specialist support for survivors of all genders aged 12 and over in Oxfordshire, at survivorspace.org.uk.
- First Light (Cornwall, Devon and Plymouth): local support after sexual violence and domestic abuse at firstlight.org.uk.
- Rape Crisis Scotland: 08088 01 03 02, every day from 5pm to midnight.
- Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs): find your nearest at nhs.uk/sarcs.
- Safeline National Male Survivor Helpline: 0808 800 5005, for men, boys and non-binary people.
- Childline: 0800 1111, for anyone under 19.
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247, 24 hours a day.
Outside the UK
- USA: RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline, 800-656-4673.
- Anywhere else: findahelpline.com lists free, confidential helplines by country.
How we’re helping
If you ever want to talk to one of us at a W+W surf retreat or surf social, our team is here to listen.
We want to do more than talk about it. During our next surf socials, Women & Waves will be raising money and donating to First Light, a leading charity supporting and empowering survivors of sexual violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and domestic abuse.
If you can make the socials, you can still donate directly to First Light HERE.
