ESCONDIDO -- Bryce Gruwell graduated from San Pasqual High School last month and has a cool job lined up. The 18-year-old competitive figure skater has been hired by Disney on Ice to travel and perform in its shows.

Gruwell said Friday he is excited about the opportunity.

"I've always liked to travel," he said. "I'm getting to do the sport I love, getting paid to do it and get to travel the world at the same time. It should be amazing."

Gruwell, who lives in Escondido, said he plans on going to college once his one-year contract with Disney is up and plans on taking a few online classes with a community college to get an early start.

"I've always wanted to do shows and I knew it was now or never," he said. "I didn't want to go to college and then do shows because I might not be as prepared or as in a good shape."

Gruwell was 10 years old when his mom took him and his younger sister to the IceOPlex ice arena in Escondido one summer day.

"It was hot outside and we came just to cool off," he said. "It just came really easy for me. My mom signed me up for private lessons."

The eight years since have been a long, slippery road to success for Gruwell.

He puts in at least 20 hours a week perfecting his craft, and had to make big sacrifices.

"In high school I had to switch from San Pasqual to charter my freshman year so I could get more skating time in," he said. "I was too stressed out waking up at 4:30 in the morning, skating for three hours and going straight to school and then having loads of homework to do. Charter was much better."

Gruwell said he transferred back to San Pasqual for his senior year to have fun and spend time with friends.

About four months before graduating, Disney On Ice came to San Diego for a show at the ipayOne Center and held a tryout.

"I just gave it my best shot and about a month ago they called to let me know I'd been accepted," he said.

Gruwell said he thinks one of the reasons he got the job was the experience in ice theater he gained through participation in California Theater on Ice, a competitive amateur ice theater production. His California Theater on Ice coach, Robin Wagner, said she was not at all surprised he got the job.

"Bryce is an extremely dedicated skater and he loves performing for people."

Gruwell has added strength training to his schedule during the past eight months to gain strength for the heavy costumes ice theater requires. His personal trainer, Gary Gregson, said Gruwell has gained 15 pounds of muscle lifting weights three or four times a week in a program Gregson designed specifically for ice skaters.

"He was around 135 (pounds) when he came to me and now he's up to 150," Gregson said. "With all the work he's put in he's a lot stronger now, more prepared and more confident out there on the ice."

Gruwell said he will move to Lakeland, Fla., the last week of July to learn the program.

"They see where your strengths are and then give you a role," he said. "Also, they have the right to send you wherever they need you. They could be like 'You're going to Hong Kong.' "

- Ezekiel Guza can be reached at 760-761-4413 or eguza@nctimes.com