In the corebook, in addition to the "Striking as [element]" kata, there are two kata for each non-Void ring (a "strike" and a "style"). As I read them, they don't really combo, per se, but they do mostly offer two distinctly different benefits. With earth, for example, you have Crimson Leaves Strike (disarming an opponent) and Iron in the Mountains Style (knocking them prone). With water, however, both Flowing Water Strike and Crashing Waves Style inflict Bleeding. I think this might be an unfortunate redundancy, but depending on the order of the effects, it might actually be really good.

If the effect of Flowing Water Strike (causing Bleeding) happens before the resist check for Crashing Waves Style, then your opponent has to choose between keeping dice with strife on them (taking extra damage) or having a greater shortfall (also taking extra damage).

The order of effects also matters for a bunch of other kata pairings where one inflicts a condition and the other grants a bonus to opponents suffering that condition.

Does anyone know how this works officially? Would you rule it differently?

swap directions. Crashing waves is a reaction to making the check. it happens using your opp from the check, before you resolve the check.