Are the two organizations really so different?  Which one is the right one for me?

Both U.S. Figure Skating (USFS) and the Ice Skating Institute (ISI) are organizations whose sole purpose is for the promotion and advancement of amateur figure skating.

Both organizations provide learning programs equipped to teach the beginning level skater as well as the more advanced skater.  Both organizations provide a system of tests to evaluate the progress of skaters participating in their programs.

Although ISI is generally considered to be the more recreational of the two skating programs, many skaters who participate in ISI take their skating very seriously.  By the same token, U.S. Figure Skating is generally considered to be for the very serious skater with nothing to offer the recreational skater.  In actuality though, both programs offer something for the serious competitive skater as well as the recreational skater.

ISI promotes itself as an organization dedicated to the recreational skater.  The competitions sanctioned by the ISI generally reflect this more relaxed attitude because of events such as "Spotlight" and "Interpretive" competitions, which are included along with the more serious Freestyle, Pairs, and Dance events.  Also, skating coaches judge these competitions instead of official judges as in U.S. Figure Skating.  The atmosphere is also a bit more relaxed because these competitions are not tied to the official qualifying competitions that lead to national and international competitions.  Many skaters, especially in the Southern region of the United States, prefer ISI because it was the program first offered to them and because there are more ISI competitions than U.S. Figure Skating competitions held in close proximity to their home rinks.  However, just because ISI skating is stated as recreational skating, it does not mean that its participants do not take their skating seriously.

Many people do not realize that U.S. Figure Skating caters not only to the U.S. Figure Skating test skater and competitive skater, but that it also has much to offer the recreational skater.  Yes, it is true that U.S. Figure Skating sponsors the major competitive skating that is done in the United States.  U.S. Figure Skating holds the regional, sectional, and national qualifying competitions that lead to the World Championships and the Winter Olympic Games.  However, U.S. Figure Skating has not forgotten the recreational skater and has implemented programs for this type of skater as well.  The Basic Skills Program for beginning skaters was developed by U.S. Figure Skating and encourages skating for health, fitness, and fun.  Skaters may continue part the Basic Skills levels through the U.S. Figure Skating test structure without ever skating competitively.  U.S. Figure Skating also governs local figure skating clubs across the country, which provides recreational skating activities for individuals of all ages.

Upon examination, it becomes apparent that despite their differences, both U.S. Figure Skating and ISI programs have much to offer both the recreational and the competitive skater.  In fact, many skaters are affiliated with both organizations and find both to be extremely rewarding.  So, before you decide to participate in one program to the exclusion of the other, consider trying them both.  You might just find that you have the "best of both worlds!"