The Naked House Boy is required to maintain a home exercise regimen that is tailored around his individual fitness goals, taking into account his age, weight, health, and pre-collaring fitness levels. For most boys, water exercise is a healthy activity that will be assigned several times a week – or daily – during the summer season.

‘Recreational Water Exercise’ differs from both lap swimming and recreational swimming in that the Master doesn’t assign a particular activity (like swimming laps) but doesn’t allow the boy to be sedentary, like relaxing on a pool float or sunning in a lounge chair. The House Boy is simply assigned a block of time where he is required to remain naked and active in or around the pool area. During this time, he is permitted to swim, play, dive, jump, exercise, wrestle, horse around, play pool volleyball or water basketball with others, or any other activity that keeps his arms or legs moving. He is not permitted to relax on the pool rafts or floats, use the lounge chairs or lay down on a towel, or remain standing still in the shallow side of the pool or out of the water for more than just a few seconds at a time.

The Master will schedule the House Boy’s mandatory water exercise far enough in advance that the times can be posted in the boy’s Schedule of Duties & Chores so that guests will know in advance when the boy will be using the pool. Guests are allowed to visit and are allowed to use the pool while the boy does his water exercises. A sign in the pool area reminds visitors that nudity is required for the House Boy (See Below, Rule 228), regardless of who may be present when exercise time begins or who may drop in before exercise time finishes. During times when there are two House Boys in service, they will be scheduled to participate in Water Exercise together if possible.

Recreational Water Exercise is a seasonal duty during the spring to fall warm weather time when the pool is maintained for daily use and is not scheduled during event days like pool parties or barbeques where the House Boy will either be serving refreshments to visitors or attending the event as a guest. The Naked House Boy is required to take a proper Outdoor Shower before and after using the pool area, and he is still subject to Inspections or additional washing if so ordered. The Master may also schedule regular exercises to take place at the poolside, either before, during, or after water exercise.

In the example photo, a House Boy uses his water exercise time to show off to the Master by jumping into the deep end of the pool. Soon, guests will arrive and they will start a ‘Cannonball Competition’ to see who can make the biggest splash. There are many opportunities for fun and recreation while serving as a Naked House Boy. While the rules make it seem like there are a lot of chores, they are spread out and only take about three hours each day. The boy does need to make sure that he completes all of his chores properly, however, or he risks immediate discipline. Even during water exercise, a violation like standing still too long could get his bare bottom reddened in front of whoever else happens to be present in the pool area, or inside the house looking out one of the windows. Having lots of time for recreation can also mean lots of time for discipline, for poorly behaved House Boys, and visitors will sometimes report to the Master any misbehavior they observe.