We have two cats and the mother cat has a fear of water. You get her close to the bathroom, and she locks up in your hands. I have to hold her down with both hands until the wife washes front and rear ends. Then I hold her butt and shoulders so she can wash the middle.
Now her offspring daughter does not mind having a bath. She just sits there and lets us clean her up. Then it is off into the living room in a big towel to dry off.
One time we made the mistake of trying to use a hairdryer on her. We had her on the rug in the living room. Wife turned on the dryer and that was it. Did you know a kitten can jump onto a couch, rearrange five cushions, a pillow, jump off the couch, make a 180 left, a 90 right and be out of the pet door in about 5 seconds?