How to use the MoonBoard
- May 25
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
One of the original interactive training boards, designed by legendary climber Ben Moon. It’s a fixed layout of small, powerful holds, lit with LEDs and connected to an app where climbers can access thousands of problems. Known for being challenging and finger-intensive, it’s a global benchmark for strength training.
Overview
Who
Intermediate
Yellow Blue Red
Advanced
Red Green Black
Why
Builds strength, power, and precision on steep terrain through globally shared problems.
How
Connect to the MoonBoard app and follow the rules below.
Locations & Difficulty
O'Connor
2024 Holds Set
Intermediate
Osborne Park
2016 Holds Set
Advanced
Willetton
2019 Holds Set
Intermediate Advanced
Joondalup
2024 Holds Set
Intermediate
Rules
Coloured Lights
Green: Start Holds
Blue: Hands & Feet
Red: Finish
Starts
All problems start with two hands on the designated start hold(s).
If there is only one start hold, you must start matched.
Finishes
All problems must finish with both hands on the designated finish hold(s).
If there is one finish hold, you must finish matched.
If there are two finish holds, finish with one hand on each. The finish hold(s) must be controlled for 2 seconds.
Foot Rules
Allowed footholds are specified in the MoonBoard App for each problem. Depending on the hold setup selected, one of the following will apply:
Feet follow hands
Feet follow hands + screw-on footholds
Screw-ons only
Footless + kickboard footholds
Footless (no kickboard)
Kickboard
All kickboard footholds are allowed when applicable.
All kickboard footholds are set with the slopey side facing up.
Hold Placement
All start holds must be on row 6 or lower.
All problems finish on the top row of the MoonBoard.
Hold Use
You may use any part of a numbered hold.
Matching and heel hooking are permitted.
Grading
Grades are shown in Font or V-scale.
This can be changed in the MoonBoard App settings.
How to use the app
Download the MoonBoard app for iPhone or MoonBoard app for Android.
Setup Options: O’Connor / Joondalup: MoonBoard 2024 | Angle 40° | All Holds Osborne Park: MoonBoard 2016 | Angle 40° | Original School + A&B Willetton: Moonboard 2019 | Angle 40° | All Holds EXCEPT Screw-on Footholds
Select the Light Bulb at the top of the screen and select a climb.
Allow all Permissions.
Tap the Light Bulb icon if your climb is not lit up on the MoonBoard, and you’re ready to go!