Slingshot 2004 models are super fast you can slow them down using multiple att pts. They expensive too one pump is fast but a mate had his whole kite deflate in surf when one of the tubes fell off. Splitstrut does make the canopy rock hard. I have flown the 11 it was awsome and the 15 was also very good. I would say though for beg/inter theren are a lot better choices out there. Naish Boxer are one of the best kite at the mo for what your looking for. Also cheek out Liquid Forces pricing, and the quality is great. Steer away from airush cheap crap a few mate had been trying recently too return their Flow, slow and no power. Hope this info can help