The good and not-so-good of CUTA Northern (CA)

The good

The CUTA Northern typically follows the standard taekwondo regulations set forth by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). That means athletes can expect to compete using standardized sparring gear, with electronic sensors available for black belt competitors. Athletes can also expect to perform the authorized WTF forms in both traditional and sports divisions.

In the past, CUTA Northern has received USAT sanctioning. This means athletes and referees received Team USA points for participating, which may or may not be relevant depending on an individual's level-up and certification goals. Team USA points typically last for one year before expiring.

In the past, CUTA Northern has included USAT membership renewal (one year) as incentive for athletes to sign up for the event. This incentive will likely remain attractive as long as the event fees remain competitive with that of other martial arts events.

The not-so-good

In the past, CUTA Northern has not gained much traction in forms and breaking competition. This may be due to political factors among the organizations in the area. There are also other events like the Stanford Open and Napa Open that may be more attractive to poomsae players in Northern California.

CUTA Northern is still considered and treated as a local event. It may not be worth the costs associated with driving, flight, or hotel for competitors who live further away.