Monks of the Way of the Surging Tide learn to understand their ki as a flowing current of energy. They study the movements of the sea and manifest the natural flow of ki as churning water.

Those who follow the Way of the Surging Tide often embed themselves in coastal settlements, where they may better study and meditate on the movements of the ocean.

Soul of the Sea

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn to channel your ki like a flowing current. You learn the Shape Water cantrip, and as an action you can spend 1 ki point to cast Create or Destroy Water at first level. In addition, you gain a swim speed equal to your walking speed.

Crashing Wave Strike

At 3rd level, you can channel the force of a crashing wave into your attacks. As an action, you can spend 1 ki point to surge forward up to 15 ft. in a straight line, avoiding opportunity attacks. If you collide with a creature, your movement ends and you may make a melee attack against the creature. On a hit, you deal additional cold damage equal to one roll of your Martial Arts die.

When you gain the Extra Attack feature, an additional attack can be made after the first attack, but this attack does not deal additional cold damage.

Whirling Current

Starting at 6th level, you learn to manipulate the flow of your ki to protect yourself. When a creature hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to spend 2 ki points to create a swirl of water around you. The creature must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed 15 ft. away from you, and you gain a bonus to your AC equal to your Wisdom modifier until the start of your next turn.

Torrential Flurry

Starting at 11th level, the flow of ki that churns within you grows into a torrent, empowering your strikes. When you use Flurry of Blows, both attacks deal additional cold damage equal to one roll of your Martial Arts die.

Tidal Vortex

At 17th level, you are a master at manifesting the torrential flow of ki within you as a powerful current of water. As an action, you can spend 3 ki points to create a swirling vortex of water around you that lasts for 1 minute. The vortex has a radius of 10 feet, is considered difficult terrain for any creature other than you, and any creature starting its turn in the vortex must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 3d8 cold damage. In addition, while the vortex is active you may use your Crashing Wave strike without spending a ki point.