Name: Tom Begic.
Nationality & Ethnicity: Australian. Born in Sydney. Ethnicity: Croatian.
Education:
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical).
  • Bachelor of Science (Pure Mathematics).
  • Diploma of Freelance Journalism.
  • Justice of the Peace (NSW).
Family Status:
  • Wife: Marijana.
  • Children: Two.
    • Son: Zhan (born 2001)
    • Daughter: Mia (born 2003).
Skydiving Licences & Ratings:
  • Life Member of Australian Parachute Federation.
  • A4648. B3426. C3025. D2489. E1309. F578.
  • ASC1783 (Freefall).
  • ACRWC145 (CRW).
  • ANSC206 (Night Freefall).
  • Display License B398. (Pro).
  • Packer A988 (Reserves & Mains).
  • Instructor B T/M 465 (Senior Tandem Master/Instructor).
  • ASC Level 2 Coaching Accreditation 608070 (Australian Sports Commission).
  • Licensed Display Organiser.
  • BM Instructor (Wingsuits).
Australian Parachute Team - CRW:
  • 2004 World Championships - Rijeka, Croatia - 4 Way Rotations CRW - 4th Place.
  • 2003 World Championships - Gap, France - 4 Way Rotations CRW - 6th Place.
  • 1996 World Championships - Lido Lakes, Indonesia - 8 Way Speed CRW - 4th Place.
CRW Records & Awards:
  • 2008 - APF Achievement Award - His outstanding performance as a participant in the World Record for the Largest Canopy Formation consisting of 100 skydivers on the 21st November 2007 at Lake Wales, Florida USA.
  • 2007 - Large Formations - 100 Way Diamond. Current World Record.
  • 2007 - APF Achievement Award - for outstanding performance as a participant in Australia's largest canopy formation of 25, setting an Australian record at Toogoolawah, Qld, in March 2007.
  • 2007 - Large Formations - 25 Way Diamond. Current Australian Record.
  • 2005 - APF Achievement Award - for performance at the 2004 World Parachuting Championships in Croatia - including an Australian Record for Rotations team Crimson Mist.
  • 2005 - APF Achievement Award - for performance at Mondial 2003, World Parachuting Championships in France - including an Australian Record for Rotations team Crimson Mist.
  • 2004 - 4 Way Rotations - 17 Points. Current Australian Record.
  • 2003 - Commonwealth Government of Australia - Sport Achievement Award - Outstanding Performance in Skydiving. This was given for CRW World Meet performances.
  • 2003 - 4 Way Rotations - 16 Points.
  • 1996 - 8 Way Speed - 42.61 seconds. Current Australian Record.
Recent Australian CRW Competition Results:
  • 2003/04 - 4 Way Rotations - Australian Championships - 1st Place.
  • 2002/03 - 4 Way Rotations - Australian Championships - 1st Place.
  • 2002 - 4 Way Rotations - Victorian Championships - 1st Place.
  • 2001/02 - 4 Way Rotations - Australian Championships - 1st Place.
  • 2001 - 4 Way Rotations - Victorian Championships - 1st Place.
  • 2000/01 - 4 Way Rotations - Australian Championships - 2nd Place.
  • 2000  - 4 Way Rotations - Victorian Championships - 1st Place.
  • 1999/00 - 4 Way Rotations - Australian Championships - 3rd Place.
Future CRW Ambitions (these are realistic and on the drawing board - time frame to 2010):
  • Complete OzCRW website & information.
  • Promote & Increase CRW participation in Australia.
  • Australian Parachute Team - 4 Way Sequential.
  • Australian Parachute Team - 2 Way Sequential.
  • Australian Record - 4 Way Sequential.
  • Australian Record - 2 Way Sequential.
  • Australian Record - 8 Way Speed.
  • Australian Record - Largest Formation.
  • Australian Record - Largest Night Formation.
  • World Record Participant - Largest Formation.
  • Establish Australian Women's CRW records.
Other Activities & Interests:
  • Family & friends.
  • Relief Manager & Supervisor for International Steel Manufacturer.
  • Investing. Especially Unorthodox Strategies.
  • Owner of Outdoor Adventure Business.
  • BASE Jumping. Experienced. Former Safety Officer of ABA.
  • Wingsuit flying. Experienced.
  • Ultralight Flying. Intermediate experience.
  • Aerobatic Fixed Wing Pilot. Beginner.
  • SCUBA diving. Advanced Diver with Intermediate experience.
  • Speleology (Caving). Experienced.
  • Travel. Experienced.
  • Aerial Videography & Cinematography. Experienced.
  • Digital Photography. Beginner.
  • Writing.
  • Regional food and beverages.
Ethos: I believe in the philosophy that you should never stop learning or never consider yourself to know everything about any topic. You can always be better than you currently are by opening your mind to other possibilities. Be constructively critical of yourself and listen when others provide constructive criticism for you.

If you think you can't, you are correct. If you think you can, ensure you get as much information as possible and accurately assess the situation. Be realistic and honest when assessing, especially yourself. If everything stacks up, go for it. 

Stay Safe. Have Fun. Good Luck.

Tom Begic landing after a practice jump for the 1996 World Parachuting Championships in Indonesia.

Competition Discipline: 8 Way Speed. Canopy: French Diamant. Container: Australian Woomera. Photographer: Anthony Dorney.