Hi 80,
The Stryker is an excelent plane, but not for beginners. I have been flying larger glow models for about 4 years now, and I still managed to crash my stryker because it is so fast and I wasn't being careful enough. Although I can usually fly my strker fine, it does have some tricks that make it difficult. It is very difficult to hand launch on your own and still not easy with a helper. It is easy to get disoriented becuase it is a "flying wing" . It is very touchy at high speed and since it is so much fun, you will be tempted to do stupid things that will most likely cause you to crash it.
I would go for a standard trainer. Trainers are quick when you want them to be, and they can float at walking speed. Plus there are a ton of fun crazy things that only trainers can do.
Trust me you won't be bored easily.

LT-40