I'm waiting for a call back from gardiners but in the meantime would appreciate any advice. I have a brand new 18ft clx, I've always used gardiners poles but with this one I'm having a mare getting the gooseneck to fit into the top section. I know their always a bit stiff with a new pole but this one's a bugger. It's not a new gooseneck so I know it's not the problem. I've wet the pole, +gooseneck, I've taken the clamp off and forced the clamp as far as I dare, I've tried lubricating the gooseneck and inside the top of the pole but it will only go in 1 inch and won't budge in either direction now. Never had one this tight. Anything else I can try?