So I'm getting a job. So since it's 9-5 with only a half hour lunch break, gotta do freestyle sessions.
Basically, ISI membership is $25, USFSA is $120. My rink closest to me runs USFSA test sessions about every 3 weeks, but no ISI. ISI would be a lot of driving for any test sessions and as far as I know, not transferable to USFSA. Eventually to be "serious" I'd need a USFSA membership anyway, right? Most rinks will take ISI insurance though, to go on freestyle sessions, right? But someone told me some rinks, like USFSA better as you can at least take the first test and show that you completed it, whereas ISI I'd not take their prelim test simply because driving to the ISI testing rink would be a pain. Basically there'd be nothing I'd use the ISI membership for except for insurance.
Maybe this topic's been done to death, but what do people recommend for a first federation to join? Go to ISI for say, a year, or join USFSA right off the bat even if you're not sure if you're actually even going to test that year? I mean, the price difference is like 10 freestyle sessions worth of money. Lastly, social concerns? Will people think anything negative of having an ISI membership? I don't know, part of me doesn't want to waste $25 on a ISI membership if I'm gonna just go get a USFSA one in a month or two or something. But part of it, too, is like, I feel like if I got a USFSA membership I might take skating more seriously/be more motivated because I'd be like "well I got this membership, I have to test" whereas ISI would be like "I got this membership, I can go on the ice."
Any input? Thanks.