If you can live with fixed lenght, you can drill it and lock it with a pin with ring. I got my cat without hiking stick and made myself one with two old skiing poles.. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> locked with a pin and ring. I made two perforations for length adjustment, but I am so lazy that I´ve never changed it..
The pole grip is not really comfortable but it looks pretty cool and reminds me of winter time while I´m sailing.. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />