just got one of these awesome beasts - so many thanks to gav camm lammy & luther 1 - i'm trying to split it & the base section came of fine but thats it i cant get the next 2 sections off & i've levered the clamps as far open as i dare but no joy , anyone any more ideas please 
Sometimes due to the tolerances on the larger sections and the stop tape they can be harder to separate (they are not originally designed to take apart straight away) as the tape can catch slightly on the clamp jaws. To get around this the first time of separating you can do the following:
1. Get a friend to hold the lower section whilst you twist the upper section - this is usually sufficient.
2. If the above does not work then heat up the section using an electric blow torch just below the clamp where the tape will be. This softens the tape and allows them to be twisted apart.
I presume that once apart you will be using these lower sections without joint stop tape as extensions to add on when needed. If this is the case remove the joint stop tape and the sections will simply slide in when needed. Please remember that if you have removed the handle from the pole you are using the pole without any handle insulation which means that your are at risk of electrocution if you should accidentally hit an overhead power-line.