I work at a resort and anytime short poles come into lost and found for a while without being claimed ether my manager or a coworker will grab them for me.
usually reps just throw poles at me when they come by the shop I work at, they always seem to have extras like they're already meant to be freebies haha
found them floating around the basement from when I was a kid and stuck some duck tape on them. I've been meaning to cut them down a couple inches but haven't gotten around to it.
patroller huts are the way to go. they find them in pairs so you have a good selection. you just toss them $5 or $10 and you get some poles and help out the guys keeping everyone safe get a few beers.