Course Directors

With NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) a course director can teach all courses he/she is qualified for up to Instructor Trainer.  In addition, our two Course Directors can assist you with any courses offerred by DAN up to Instructor level.  Also, Billy Walls and Danny Grizard are approved by NAUI to conduct testing for VA approved programs.  This means that if you are military veteran entitled to the benefits you can use them right here in Panama City Beach for SCUBA training up to and including Instructor.  If you have started with another agency and want to make the switch to NAUI we can help make the transitiion seamlessly.  

Danny Grizzard

NAUI Course Director #3550L  Email: dgrizzard10@gmail.com 

  • SCUBA Certification 1968
  • Science Diving Certification 1972
  • Surface Support Coordinator Hydro Lab Mission 1972 Freeport Bahamas
  • Designed and Implemented SCUBA Prgram at Gadsden State Community College 1972
  • NAUI Instructor 1973 * PADI Instructor 1975 * US Coast Guard 100T License 1975
  • 1979 Published First Edition of “SCUBA Panama City” a local diving guide
  • Fulltime Dive Boat Captain and SCUBA Instructor 1986-1990
  • Designed and Implemented SCUBA Program at Avon Park Community College 1984
  • Designed and Implemented SCUBA Program at Gulf Coast State College 1993-Present
  • DAN Instructor 1991 to Present * DAN Instructor Trainer
  • NAUI Instructor Trainer CD 1993 * NAUI Branch Manager 1995
  • Various NAUI Continuing Support Awards Over the years * 40 Year Pin 2013 4Dive Safety Officer (DSO) FAMI, Inc. 2005 Year Pin 2018  50 Year Pin 2023
  • NAUI Environmental Award
  • DAN Divers Alert Network Instructor 30 Years * Dive Safety Officer (DSO) FAMI, Inc. 2000 to Present
  • Principal Investigator Panama City Artificial Reef Program 1975-1980
  • First Reef Project 1975 * First Large Wreck “Grey Ghost” 1978
  • Coordinated over 100 Reef Deployments During the 1970’s
  • Coordinated 19 New Sites in 14 Days with Hathaway Bridge Project 1988
  • Involved with the Deployment and Follow-Up of Dozens of Large Sites including, but limited to the Following…
  • Grey Ghost 1978 * USS Strength 1987 * USS Chippewa * LCAC (Hovercraft) 1995 * Accokeek 2000 * RED SEA 2009 * LOSS PONTOON 1978
  • Hathaway Bridge Spans & Decks 1988 * Black Bart 1993 * 13 Army Tanks 1993 * BIP Tugboat 1996 * FAMI Tugs 2003
Fourteen different barges were also deployed including one specifically set in shallow water and named DAN Safety Barge to set up an inshore stop for divers returning from the offshore wrecks.  These sites range in depth from about 40′ to just over 100′ and have played host to tens of thousands of divres from all over the country and created a home for millions of fish.  Served as location Captain and Secondary Dive Safety Officer for Bay County Florida Project in support of Roger Smith and the State of Florida Underwater Archeology Program in the research and establishing underwater historic site status for the USS Tarpon and the VAMAR.  And served as location Captain and Secondary Dive Safety Officer of offshore FSU archaeology project 199-2000.  Five separate six days cruises working on native American sites located in 20-25′ water and three miles offshore.  Elected to four-year term on the NAUI Board of Directors 2015.  Executive Committee 2013-2015.  NAUI Interim Executive Director January 2023 till July 30.  

Billy Walls

NAUI Course Direcot #599002L  Email: billywalls403@gmail.com 

Billy was certified in 1980 and began training to work with the local rescue/recovery diving while serving as a paramedic in Dooly County, GA.  A few years later he began an instructor in 1983.  During Billy’s professional career as an Orthopedic PA and paramedic he worked with several different agencies and trained both public safety and recreational divers for years.  When he settled on NAUI as primary he has  been working to train all levels up to Instructor ever since.  Billy began running his training through Indian Creek SCUBA in 1984 and that business has sites in both Georgia and Panama City Beach, Florida.  

Since leaving the public sector Billy is focusing on SCUBA training at all levels.  A focus point is helping veterans achieve their dream of becoming a NAUI SCUBA Instructor.  As a NAUI VA testing center Indian Creek SCUBA can give guidance and training necessary for an eligible veteran to use his/her benefits to cover the testing necessary for training from entry level to Instructor.