Mine did the same and was only two weeks old.When i eventually got it back in and used it the next time,there were two holes in it,about three inches from the bottom.I don't know if this was anything to do with what stops you pulling the section right out of the pole? I was brutal with mine and it eventually slid in,i was at the point where i didn't care if i broke it or not,however,it has been fine since.Give it a good whack is my advice!