Grayson Long
At just 17 years old, Canadian figure skater Grayson Long has already experienced a journey that blends artistry and technical ambition. Based in Toronto and training under the guidance of Brian Orser and Karen Preston at the Toronto Cricket Club (TCSCC), Long reflected on a pivotal year of growth, travel, and fine-tuning.
“I’ve been training with Brian and Karen since 2018,” he said. “So that would be about seven years now.” Originally from Oakville, he moved to Toronto in ninth grade to be closer to the rink—a decision that made training far more manageable. “I’m right on the subway, so I can just go straight there! It’s nice not having to drive,” he laughs, though he admits he keeps putting off getting his license. “I keep saying I’ll do it after this competition or that competition.”
A Summer of Transformation
Long described his recent off-season as one of the most productive of his career.
“This summer was probably some of the best training I’ve done so far,” he says. “I got the chance to train in Japan for almost three weeks before competing at a regional competition called ‘Aqua Cup.'”
While in Japan, Long trained at the Mitsui Fudosan Sports Academy under coach Kensuke Nakaniwa. He was joined by his friend Rio Nakata, a fellow skater who had also spent part of the summer training in Toronto.
“Everybody was really welcoming,” he said. “We went to places like Tokyo Skytree. I actually thought it was shorter than the CN Tower in Toronto—I lost a bet on that one,” he laughed. “But it was amazing. I still have a photo card from that day in my room.”
Back in Toronto, Long carried what he learned overseas into his daily training.
“In Japan, they really focus on mastering the basics, and that’s something I brought home,” he explained. “I started working more on figures with Brian and had a few conversations with Kurt Browning when he came to Cricket for a seminar. He gave me exercises to help emulate figures during warm-up, and that’s made such a difference in my jumps.”
A Quest for Quads
Like many of his generation, Long knows that quads are essential to competing at the top level.
“I worked on the quad Salchow, quad toe, and quad Lutz (in the harness),” he shared. “It’s very important because even in juniors, it’s instrumental, and in seniors, it’s required.”
His goal is to debut one soon in his free skate—possibly at Canadian Nationals.
In addition to his jumps, Long focused on basic skating skills and presentation and mastering the basics.
“Back in the day, when we still had figures, you were obliged, or you were required to be able to complete the same turn the exact same way on the exact same point over and over,” he said. “And to me, being able to repeat the same thing exactly the same way can translate to your jumps. For example, the same angle of my blade and the same movement of my arms on a triple Axel.”
Long also had a few conversations with four-time World Champion Kurt Browning, who came to TCSCC for a seminar during the summer.
“He kind of suggested some things for me to incorporate during my warmup on the ice,” said Long. “Just a few little exercises to kind of emulate figures. That really helped me get my feet under me before the session. I also found that when I’m feeling my edges, I can do this really well. My jumps start to feel like they’re really good.”
As a result, Long feels his skating skills and speed on the ice have improved a great deal since last season.
Fine-tuning Programs
Long has worked a lot with choreographer David Wilson on fine-tuning his programs this season.
“He gets really inspired and really excited when I come to him with a request that we do this because he tells me not many skaters do this,” said Long of Wilson. “A lot of skaters just want their program choreographed and done and then okay, that’s it. But I have the luxury of David living in Toronto, so he can come to the Cricket club and continue to improve the program. Every little movement can have more of a purpose when I have David.
Both programs were choreographed this season by Wilson. The short program is set to Les Parapluies de Cherbourg by Michel Legrand—a French piece that he discovered during a family trip to Florida.
“It ended up being the perfect environment because I wasn’t skating,” said Long of Florida. “So, I just kind of had freedom with my thoughts. I was just listening to a ton of music and fell in love with the romance of French songs. It’s meaningful to me because I speak French fluently. I was in French school from kindergarten to grade eight in Oakville.”
Long’s free skate takes inspiration from the anime series Demon Slayer, a project he describes as both personal and powerful.
“I realized the pacing would be perfect for a free program,” he said. “I pitched it to David, and he loved it, even though he didn’t know the show. I wanted it to feel commanding and serious, like Yuzuru Hanyu’s programs—that same kind of presence on the ice. It also gives me freedom.”
The skater said that Wilson fell “in love with the music too” despite not being aware of the TV series.
“I incorporated some of the aspects and poses from the show into the program,” Long explained. “That’s something that David loves—when the skater is really passionate about it. So, he kind of fed off of my passion.
2025-26 Junior Grand Prix
Following his strong showing at NextGen, Long carried renewed confidence into the Junior Grand Prix (JGP) in Riga, where he took second behind his friend Nakata.
“It all kind of came together for me in Riga,” he said. “The mental side has improved a lot. I found my zone—I was nervous, but it wasn’t fear, it was excitement. I felt I was where I needed to be and then I was in a space where I could just do my job without really worrying too much.”
Overall, he was content with his performance in Riga but said he was “annoyed” by the fall on a triple Lutz in the free skate.
At the JGP in Abu Dhabi, Long finished fifth overall. The skater admitted that things did not go as planned and that the mistakes were due to “a lack of concentration.” There was also the added pressure of making the Final for the first time.
However, later this fall, he will make his senior international debut at the Ice Challenge in Graz, Austria, while continuing to compete nationally at the senior level.
“It’s my first senior B event, and I’m really looking forward to it!” he said.
Inspirations and Influences
When it comes to idols, Long doesn’t hesitate.
“Yuzuru Hanyu is definitely at the top,” he said. “His ability to withstand pressure, like coming back from an ankle injury before the Olympics, is just unbelievable.” He also draws inspiration from Patrick Chan, especially his skating quality. “The rise and fall of his knees, the way he moves on the blade—it’s so beautiful to watch. That’s something I aspire to.”
Long fondly remembers interviewing Chan as a child at the 2016 Skate Canada National Team Camp.
“I interviewed him in English and in French,” he laughed. “Looking back now, that’s really special.”
Beyond the Ice
When he’s not training or competing, Long enjoys spending time with his German Shepherd, Ripley—named from the character from Alien. One of his other favorite pastimes is reading.
“I dive into everything from fantasy and history to philosophy,” he said. “I like all kinds of stuff! He mentioned Game of Thrones among his favorites.
Rock climbing has been on pause since he fractured his ankle right before the 2025 Canadian Nationals.
“I was still able to compete, but after that, I had to ask myself, ‘is rock climbing really a good idea?'” he said with a laugh. Thanks to his recovery team at the Canadian Sport Institute, Long was able to compete safely, finishing an impressive fourth in his senior debut.
When it comes to music, Long’s taste is eclectic: “Rock, metal, hip-hop, house—pretty much everything,” he shared. “The songs I compete to always remind me of specific competitions when I listen to them later.”
Fashion, too, is part of his artistic world.
“Figure skating is a form of art, just like fashion or books,” he pointed out. “I like to express myself that way too.”
Photography is another creative outlet—he enjoys taking casual portraits of his friends.
Travel naturally plays a big part in Long’s life as a skater, but he’s also balancing his academic journey. While he finished the 12th grade, the Toronto native is wrapping up the two final credits this semester that he needs to “fully” graduate high school. He is also applying to the University of Toronto and York University to pursue part-time studies.
“I’m split,” he said when asked of his favorite subjects. “I love science and math, but I’m also really passionate about choreography and coaching.”
To keep his options open, he’s applying both to the Rotman School of Management for business management and to U of T’s Life Sciences program.
While Long’s heart remains firmly in skating, he’s taking a long-term view.
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