Cleland was born in the beachside town of Boca de Pascuales [es], Colima, Mexico, to a Mexican mother and an American father.

[2][3] His father, Alan Cleland Sr., was a pro surfer from the San Diego area who moved to Boca de Pascuales and married a local woman.

[2] Cleland began surfing at a young age in his hometown, which is known for its rough waters, though he soon moved to California to further develop his talent.

[8] In 2019, Cleland won a silver medal in the under-18 category at the ISA World Junior Championship, which was held in Huntington Beach, California.

[15] However, the qualification system required a top 30 placement and Bouchgua finished 31st, meaning the WSG slot was re-allocated to the highest-finishing eligible surfer, regardless of continent, which was Cleland.