ICE SPORTS INDUSTRY (ISI)

Membership

ISI memberships can be purchased directly through them on their website here.

For the 2024-2025 season (Sep 1, 2024-Aug 31, 2025) the cost is $18. They offer a two term membership option for $30. These membership fees do not include the cost of testing and competing. Rates for testing are usually about $6 per test. Competition entry fees vary a lot but most will charge more for the first entry and then a significantly reduced rate for more entries at that competition (if the skater wishes to compete in more than one event per competition).

Testing

Testing for ISI is much more laid back than USFSA. As a Gold certified judge I am able to test skaters or ask other local coaches to test them. The skater must have an active ISI membership at the time they wish to test. These tests do not need to be completed through video or test sessions like USFSA tests until the skater reaches Freestyle 7.

The basic levels for individual skaters are:

  • Pre-Alpha

  • Alpha

  • Beta

  • Gamma

  • Delta

Once skaters pass the Delta test, they can begin the freestyle test track:

  • Freestyle 1

  • Freestyle 2

  • Freestyle 3

  • Freestyle 4

  • Freestyle 5

  • Freestyle 6

  • Freestyle 7

  • Freestyle 8

  • Freestyle 9

  • Freestyle 10

The open freestyle track is a newer addition that allows skaters more flexibility with the required elements needed at each level. These tests are separate from the standard freestyle tests. The open freestyle track is as follows (equivalent traditional freestyle levels are listed but are separate):

  • Bronze Freestyle (FS 1-3)

  • Silver Freestyle (FS 4-5)

  • Gold Freestyle (FS 6-7)

  • Platinum Freestyle (FS 8-10)

Competing

Skaters must complete and pass the corresponding test for any level they wish to compete in. Skaters cannot skate up a level or down a level so once the test is passed a skater cannot compete lower than that level. Tests must be completed prior to competing. ISI offers many local competitions throughout the winter and early spring that allow local skaters to compete without incurring hefty travel expenses. ISI also offers a much wider variety of event types for skaters to participate in.

Typically local competitions include:

  • January - Winter Blast at St. Peters Rec Plex

  • February - Sweetheart Open at Kennedy Ice Rink

  • March - Meet Me in St. Louis at Webster Groves Ice Arena

  • April - Spring Fling at Washington Park Ice Arena in Jefferson City, MO

These competitions may not be offered every year and specific dates will vary.

Event types skaters can choose to compete in include (but are not limited to):

  • Freestyle (individual programs with specific requirements)

  • Open Freestyle (individual programs with specific requirements but fewer restrictions on jumps and spin types)

  • Artistic (individual programs that allow more artistic expression and creativity and fewer restrictions on allowed jumps)

  • Interpretive - Skaters are given a piece of music and create their own program on the fly

  • Jumps & Spins (2 skaters compete — 1 does a specific jump and 1 completes a specific spin)

  • Ensemble (groups of skaters can compete in different categories like character, comedy, artistic, etc.)

  • Compulsories (each season specific required elements are selected by ISI and the skaters must complete these required elements without a program)

  • Many more!